NCHS Ski Team is Out of the Gate

If ever there was a winter to launch a ski team, this was it.  did just that, starting a ski team in one of the snowiest winters on record.

Twice a week, when the final bell signals the end of classes, a black van drives the team's ten racers and their equipment to Mt. Southington where they train with Coach Bryon Fryer and compete in the Connecticut Interscholastic Ski League (CISL).

Ski racing is a popular sport throughout New England, and Connecticut is no exception.  During the 2011 winter season, more than 800 ski racers from 25 teams will participate in the CISL which is comprised of both public and private schools throughout the state.  

"New Canaan has finally joined the ranks of the surrounding towns," sophomore Chuck Anderson told About Town. "I am happy to be competing for my home town."

NCHS Athletic Director Jay Egan backed the idea of forming a team for New Canaan after learning there were several current and former United States Ski Association (USSA) alpine racers attending NCHS.  Not being able to train and race during the week made it increasingly difficult for the skiers to remain competitive as weekend-only athletes.  

"It has given us the opportunity to continue competitive skiing while representing New Canaan High School," sophomore Avery Anthony said. 

“The most competitive alpine athletes aged 14 and older either attend elite ski academies like Stratton Mountain School or live in Vermont so they can train three to five days a week on snow throughout the season," Libby Alexander, a team parent organizer, said in a release put out by the team.  

Sophomore Courtney Cole grew up racing at Okemo Mountain and said that at a certain level skiers find themselves racing against the "full time" high school skiers as well as college age skiers. Cole also plays lacrosse and field hockey.

"I would not want to move away to focus just on skiing. It's great to be able to ski at NCHS — we have a great group of racers here," she said.

The NCHS ski team's athletes are all current or former USSA competitors. It takes 10 skiers to field a CISL team. With five boys and five girls, the Rams qualify as a "mixed team," and compete in the boys' bracket. The team has held strong with a current record of 7 wins and 5 losses.  

At first, junior Megan Paul was concerned that the team would not be taken as seriously as some of the more established high school programs.

"Our small team has created the best racing environment I've ever experienced," she told Patch. "The fact that our close knit bond continues outside of practices is another truly defining factor for our team."

The team includes freshmen Jeffrey Cole, Wilson Fleming and Jack Schlegel, sophomores, Avery Anthony, Chuck Anderson and Courtney Cole,  juniors, Temerson Alexander, Jenny Curt and Megan Paul and senior, Kyle Isherwood. 

Several racers have not competed in years and are now able to get back to a sport they love. 

 “It’s a great group of kids who love to ski and are super successful at it," parent Devon Fleming said in the team's press release.

For Wilson Fleming, who attended Stratton Mountain School, the skiing isn't as intense and is a lot more fun.  

"The ski team is a great way to make new friends and have a great time on the mountain,"  he said.

Strength is a key element of the sport. New Canaan’s alpine athletes work out with C4 Training, Inc. at the high school  three to four days a week for the “dry land” component of their program.  C4 focuses on a program of conditioning and core strengthening training so the athletes can be at their peak performance during racing. 

"The C4 workouts really stepped up our game," said Temerson Alexander, who also attended the Stratton Mountain School. "The kids I was able to meet through the team are amazing — it's a really good group," she said. 

 “Southington has an incredible set up for ski racing," said Suzanne Cole, another parent organizer, said in the team's release. “On race days Southington sets four courses across one hill and tracks timing for 200+ competitors who ski two runs each for their team total.  It’s fast and exciting!” 

NCHS's dedicated speed racers value the bonds of friendship they have forged among as much as the wins they have accomplished on the mountain.

Jenny Curt likely speaks for all her team mates.

"Joining the ski team has given me the perfect training experience, fitness and friendships to make this winter season the best ever!"