2012 Alpine Skiing Overview
Class A
A normally deep local field in Class A alpine racing is about as thin as it has been in recent memory this year. That’s not to say that the traditional powers at Edward Little, Mt. Blue and even Oxford Hills aren’t going to make some noise, but it’s going to be harder for all of those schools to overcome any missteps in the big races.
Mt. Blue may be the best-equipped of all of the area schools. The Cougars lost a handful of contributors, but some promising freshmen, along with a CVA transfer, will help bolster the lineup.
Edward Little will be without three key contributors on the girls’ side and two on the boys’, including all-state skier J.J. Jackson. That said, there is a good returning core with a lot of ski racing experience, and the Eddies should again be in the conversation. The boys have six solid skiers to help with depth. The girls will have a harder time duplicating last year’s third-place state finish.
Oxford Hills has only five boys on the squad, all of whom are very good skiers and should help the Vikings perform well in big meets, provided everyone remains standing. The girls have a bit more depth, with five returning varsity skiers to go along with two well-rounded freshmen with racing experience.
Look for Skowhegan and Greely to be top contenders for the state crown, as well.
Class B
Mt. Abram’s girls’ team returns all of its skiers from a year ago, and adds a few more to the already full stable of solid racers. The optimism is high, and the Roadrunners are taking aim at a top finish at Class B states, even though that will mean knocking off perennial powers Yarmouth and Falmouth to do so.
Spruce Mountain is a new addition to the Class B slate this season, having of course competed separately as Jay and Livermore Falls a year ago. But the Phoenix aren’t to be taken lightly. Both Jay and Livermore Falls had success a year ago in Class C, and combining the skiers will only serve to strengthen that core.
With a new coach, Gray-New Gloucester will look to improve on last season’s showings at the state Class B meets.
Class C
The big story locally in Class C alpine skiing will be Mountain Valley’s push for a state title. The Falcons were strong last season in Class B, and will not be missing much as they drop into Class C this season. On the girls’ side of things, there is a lot of youth, but there is also talent among the youth for Seth Fournier’s group. The boys have more coming back, and even more newcomers, with six fresh faces. That shouldn’t impede the team’s goals, though.
Telstar has a solid group of returning boys, and the girls’ team will be very young, but able. Some newcomers to add depth will help as the boys look to rebound from a sixth-place finish at states a year ago.
Freeport and Fort Kent continue to be the pace-setters in other areas of the state.
2012 Nordic Skiing Overview
Class A
A strong local field leads Class A this season as teams hope for snow to get things kick-started. Mt. Blue edged Edward Little a year ago in the girls’ races, with Leavitt and Oxford Hills not too far behind. On the boys’ side, it was Fryeburg edging Mt. Blue and Oxford Hills.
With what looks to be a condensed on-snow schedule this season, conditioning will be at a premium this season, and developing newer skiers will prove tougher, meaning those schools with built-in depth from a year ago are more likely to perform better at the big meets.
Hello, Mt. Blue. The Cougars lost Hannah Allen on the girls’ side, but return almost everyone else to the fold, including a group of four very capable skiers. The Mt. Blue boys are missing Brody Hines, but otherwise they, too, are strong in numbers.
Leavitt has one of the largest teams it has ever had, and with the influx of skiers also comes and influx of talent. With the leadership of the seniors, and the experience of many of the racers at high levels, look for the Hornets to be in the conversation at states.
At Edward Little, depth is going to be an issue, but the skiers who are on the squad are loaded with talent. The Eddies are aiming for a top-three finish at states.
Oxford Hills didn’t lose anyone with varsity experience, and the Vikings are also looking to improve on last year’s third-place finish at boys’ states, and fifth at girls’ states.
Class B
Mt. Abram is one of the top teams in Class B, and the defending MVC champion. There is nothing to suggest that the Roadrunners will relinquish that crown. Led by one of the top racers in Maine, the Mt. Abram girls will make an assault at the top teams from Yarmouth and Falmouth, as well as KVAC power Maranacook at Class B states this season. The boys have a bit more to overcome, but have a good base of experience to help in that endeavor.
Spruce Mountain is new to Class B racing this year, and may be in for a rude awakening, having to face the perennial powerhouses. The Phoenix have some good talent if not depth, and should fare well in some smaller races.
Gray-New Gloucester will look to improve their standings from Class B states a year ago.
Class C
Lean numbers are the norm for the Class C schools in the area. Telstar’s boys’ squad has a good, deep lineup full of seniors and are ready to take a run at the MVC crown. The Rebels are without a girls’ squad this season.
Winthrop also has a lean team, with three girls and six boys. the guys are going to make a push with some serious talent, and the girls, if they are successful in recruiting a fourth and/or fifth skier, have some top end talent to reckons with, as well.
Mountain Valley will drop into Class C this season, and should be a factor again in the MVC competition, while Dirigo will struggle to field a full team in either sex, though the skiers that are on the squad this season are all solid racers.
North Yarmouth Academy, Merriconeag-Waldorf, Freeport and Fort Kent are teams to watch from around the state.
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