Due to the abrupt end to the ski season, awards were done via video this year. Please click HERE TO SEE THE U16/19 AWARDS!
Congratulations to the following athletes on their achievements this past season!
U16 Male Athlete awards:
Commenting coach: Eric Coffin
Most Improved- Christian Carretero
Christian has worked very hard this season and it has shown in his racing and his training. Being a part of the, “Weekend Warrior” group, Christian takes full advantage of the time he has on snow. He comes to every training morning and afternoon with a great attitude and work ethic. He is always one of the last athletes to be standing at the top of the training course asking, “Can I get one more?”. It has been awesome to witness Christian’s skiing improve over the past few years. His hard work is paying off and will continue to in the future, and we are looking forward to seeing it.
Outstanding athlete- Chris Amato
Chris is an all-around talented athlete and gives 100% effort every day. He is very attentive to detail and feedback and can incorporate it into his skiing between runs. He has the ability to pull off some of the greatest recovery moves I have seen in ski racing. He has no fear and takes risk in areas that others do not, and it is always exciting to see him step into the starting gate. I have no doubt Chris will continue to excel in ski racing, or any sport that he chooses with his commitment and passion.
Coaches award- Ben Crawford
I remember Ben when he started the program as a U14 and made States his first year racing. From that point on I knew he was going places. Ben is an all-around stand out individual – he never complains, always puts in 100%, and truly enjoys skiing and being around his teammates. He works hard everyday, he comes to training and is always excited about being there, no matter the weather or situation. It is always a joy to have Ben around and to watch him improve every day he is on the hill.
U16 Female Athlete awards:
Hana commenting!!
Most Improved- Hayden Nelson
Hayden was at OMS last season and my favorite memory of her and her dryland group would be any time we went running. My role as the trainer would be to run or drive a van behind the athletes and refuse to let anyone walk. One of Hayden’s goals was to get better at running and this was definitely effective. This season, my interactions with Hayden were limited to training and racing on the weekend. She naturally has a good feel for line and when to initiate her turn and it was very impressive to watch her progress throughout the season, especially in slalom. Hayden, we’ll miss seeing you on the hill and look forward to next season!
Outstanding athlete- Elyse Donaghue
Elyse! The best. You work hard, you ski with heart, and you are a great teammate. We are so lucky to have you on our team. You send it off jumps fully committed in speed races and training, you are a great freeskier in all conditions, and you rock flannel. Thank you for taking care of the coaches with your cookies and for looking out for me at the start. As a coach, it was great to observe your game face and focus in the start gate, especially on SG and GS days. Before you had even pushed out of the start for the second run of the State GS, we knew you were going to be fast. Additionally, thank you for carrying jackets and gear for your teammates at every race this season. That’s the athlete that every coach wants on their team, and that’s the athlete that is going to go far. I’m sorry that we weren’t able to see what all your hard work, great attitude, and effort could have resulted in at Easterns this season, but we can not wait for your next season!
Coaches award- Julia Musiak
My favorite memory of Julia from last season was from the Suicide Six slalom race. SL poles were forgotten, so she borrowed my pair, got into the gate, and threw down a magic run. It was so casual and so much fun to watch. She attended the summer ski camp at Mt. Hood this past summer and we spent time hiking in the mountains, talking about what makes skiing fun (good friends and an environment to be yourself). This year, Julia kept me grounded by letting me know the things that one of the athletes I was hosting for OMS was too nervous to ask me (like where the bathroom in my house is). Julia, I’m not sure if you’ll be back racing next year but I really hope you do. You’re an incredible person, have the best and one of the most entertaining attitudes, and I’ve super enjoyed getting to coach you. Take care, and hopefully see you soon.
U19 Male Athlete awards:
Commenting coach: Roger Kimball
Most Improved- Aidan O’ Neil
Aidan came to practices with an authentic ambition to become a better skier and a better racer. I remember one practice in particular. The athletes had been tasked with a challenging drill during the warm up period before running gates. When the session was over, there was Aidan quietly working by himself on that drill. No coach told him to do it. And he skipped lunch to do this. He was enjoying the struggle. Even if it meant falling a few times, he dusted himself off and tried again until eventually he got the hang of it. That to me embodies the spirit of working to improve.
Commenting coach: Roger Kimball
Outstanding athlete- Seth Tobin
Seth earns recognition as “outstanding” not only on a pure performance basis but also for the work ethic, respect and constructive attitude he brought to every practice. As coaches we talk a lot about the importance of the intangibles – the little things that are hard to quantify and don’t necessarily show up on the results page. Don’t get me wrong: Seth demonstrated his speed. But what impressed me most was his genuine commitment to make the most of his on snow time, his tenacity to really attack in the second run of a race even after he had DNF’d in the first run and it “didn’t matter,” and his active and relentless inquisitiveness about how to get better.
Commenting coach: Bobby Jones
Coaches award- Massimo Pensabene
Massimo has been such a pleasure to coach over the last few years. He’s always on time and ready to train. Every weekend he shows with a smile on his face happy just to be outside enjoying the snow no matter what the conditions may be. I’m proud to say his form has come a long way, since he first came to our program. His joy for skiing and time spent doing drills and free skiing has pushed his form and he should be very happy with his progress.
U19 Female Athlete awards:
Commenting coach: Bobby Jones
Most Improved- Erin Kelleher
Erin has worked hard all season and it is clearly visible in her racing. I’ve seen Erin grow up through our program at Okemo and I’m proud to say I’ve coached her. She shows up to practices on time and ready to go no matter the task at hand, even if it’s a very difficult drill environment or even just a simple afternoon of freeskiing. Having watched her compete in some FIS races this season I can confidently say she’s shown a mature race day mentality as well as a warm up routine and it’s helped her grow as a ski racer tremendously. She knows how to be focused when necessary as well as brush off mistakes and not dwell on the small stuff. This past season she was comfortable with her skiing and willing to make changes in order to find time left on the hill, even if that pushed her out of her comfort zone. It was awesome working with Erin and I’m excited to see her on the hill in the future.
Outstanding athlete- Sammy Burton
Samantha is a very hard working and detail oriented athlete. I believe it’s her attention to detail that helps drive her success in ski racing. She embraces challenges and is driven to find new drills/line challenges/turn shape adjustments to make her a faster ski racer. Another thing to note is her perseverance, if she is frustrated and struggling with technical changes she will make the proper changes necessary to make it happen. It was great to work with Samantha this season and watching her skiing and eye for line mature as the season went on.
Coaches award- Sophie Brett
Sophie is the ideal athlete to work with. She wants to learn new things, train and become better no matter what. There’s never a day we don’t see her on the hill ready to tackle whatever training environment we put in front of her. Her passion for skiing is what every coach wants to see. She will be successful in anything she does if she continues to put her heart into it like she does with ski racing. I’m excited to see where her ski racing career takes her.
