High School State Championships

After a tough season of sectional racing one of the premier races in NY is the State Championship Nordic Ski Meet.  At this meet, the top high school skiers in NY get a chance to battle it out for top honors in nordic skiing.  While skiers are in the race representing their section and their school it is also true that all the top HURT talent from section 2 went against a strong, deep and very hard working RNR group of skiers from section 5.  And the results clearly show that those athletes that commit to working when the snow doesn't fly are the ones that rise to the top.

Monday was the classic distance competition and all our HURT juniors performed amazingly well.  The winner of the race (by no small margin!) was our own Austin Huneck who stormed into 1st place and was followed by Ben Anderson in 4th, Brian Halligan in 5th, Seth Mares in 7th and Matt Forshey in 10th.  It is a huge deal to be top 10 at States and all these young men skied very strong. And the results show a split top 10 between HURT and RNR....(does that spell rivalry?).  As a coach it is exciting to see athletes finishing so near the top and still demanding more of themselves.  That desire is what builds champions.  HURT Ladyz, Emma Underwood and Sarah Duclos helped put four section 2 skiers in the top 11 against a juggernaut HFL girls squad.  (That was despite missing Frauline Amy von Duclibrucher in Germany)

Huneck skis to 45 sec win

one pumped coach

The big results Monday set up some exciting drama in Tuesdays skate relay race atop Bristol Mountain.  HURT skiers skied well and were game for a fight and many came within seconds of podium honors.  But as the flakes settled it was evident that sprinting prowess on this day was with section 5 and RNR.  Our hat goes off to the work all the coaches of section 5 have done with their athletes.  Gavin Hess grabbed the overall nordic title and Hannah Cole raised the bar for ladies skiing in NY.

The Director has decided to take this matter into his own hands as he prepares a new off-season program for 2013.  Here you can see him already working out the details of his new "Sprint 'till it HURTS" initiative.

you can't see it...but he's dragging a bus

some of our favorite pics of the day:

Congrats to the Combined Nordic Champions Gavin Hess and Hannah Cole

Halligan goes for a fierce comeback on the final leg for Section 2 A team

Huneck battles on leg 2

Emma scrambles to early lead

Our favorite picture

pinch!

Great job by all skiers from all sections!  Now it is time to bring it to JN's, Eastern J2 Championships an and Eastern High School Championships.  Lots of racing still to do!