Coach Nate Schwing and Volunteer Heather Flood Daves Receive Intermountain ACC Recognition
Something that stands out about the SVSEF community is the passion and dedication; from the athletes to everyone who comprises the vast network of support behind them, these qualities seem to come easily to many. These attributes did not go unnoticed at the close of the 2016-2017 season, when the Intermountain Division Alpine Competition Committee named SVSEF Men’s FIS Head Coach Nate Schwing as “Coach of the Year,” and longtime volunteer Heather Flood Daves as “Volunteer of the Year.”
Nate Schwing has been an alpine coach in the Wood River Valley for 12 years. He began with the Hailey Ski Team for two seasons before jumping into the position in which he finds himself today, as the men’s FIS team head coach. Nate’s knowledge of the sport, professionalism surrounding his role as coach and mentor and commitment to his athletes have stood out consistently throughout his time with SVSEF. Program Director Scott McGrew commended the coach on his recent recognition, saying, “this is an amazing honor for Nate and the contribution he has made to the club, to the athletes, and the Intermountain division over his career; I’m super proud of Nate.”
Like Nate, Heather Flood Daves has been involved with SVSEF for a long time. She grew up in Sun Valley and skied with SVSEF, and has since returned to the organization as both a parent and a volunteer. Her commitment to the cause runs deep, and is reflected in the positive attitude and poise she brings each time she lends her time and talent. Remarked McGrew, “this is a testimony to her countless hours dedicated to helping the SVSEF run and present amazing events and experiences for the athletes and families of the division.”
SVSEF is humbled to be able to call two such standout individuals integral to this organization, and sends a congratulations to both on a job well done for both SVSEF and the Intermountain division at large.
Galena Camp: Cross Country Skiers Make the Most of a Lingering Winter
While the Wood River Valley is swimming in signs of spring – widespread flooding, of course, as well as the less aggressive cues of green hillsides, vocal, elated birds and bikes zipping around town, Galena Lodge is still a vision of winter. With an unrivaled snow year, Intermountain cross country skiers took advantage of well-groomed trails during the four-day on-snow Galena Camp, held May 4-7.
55 athletes from SVSEF Gold, PG and Comp Teams, Bogus Basin, Park City Nordic Ski Club, Wasatch Ski Team and the Utah Nordic Alliance (TUNA) participated in the camp, the focus of which was getting more time on snow. “We really see the benefits later on in training and racing for the kids who ski later into the spring and summer; the longer they stay connected with skiing, the better,” explained SVSEF Comp Team Head Coach Ashley Knox.
The group started with focused technique work on Thursday and Friday, moving on to speeds and a mass start training game on Saturday and an all-club team relay on Sunday. The camp has been held on and off for seven years, dependent on snow conditions; this is the third consecutive year that the group has been on snow. "Over the years, the camp and interest in the camp has grown," said Knox. "As coaches, we are also noticing that the skiers as a whole are raising the bar every year – we have some very high-quality skiing at the camp.”
SVSEF Comp Team skiers head out of town for another camp in less than a month; the group travels to Bend, Oregon, on June 6 to get more valuable time on snow.
Bacca Sisters Qualify for 2017 Project Gold Snowboardcross Camp
Bacca sisters Payton, 15, and Zoe, 13, have qualified to attend the 2017 Project Gold Snowboardcross Camp, held Jun 11-21 at Mt. Hood, Oregon. Invitations were based on finishes from the Revolution Tour, Hole Shot, USASA Nationals and selected outstanding performances. Attendees will have access to training with the U.S. Snowboarding Team and with top coaches from across the country on a private full-length training course. A total of 44 athletes have been invited.
Both Payton and Zoe had consistent, solid results this season, often making their way onto the podium. Beyond regional and national competition, Payton was selected to represent the U.S. at FIS Snowboard Junior World Championships in Klinovec, Czech Republic, in February.
Academic Accolades for the 2016-2017 Season
From Academic Director Erika Rixon
What an amazing season! This was by far one of the best snow years that these student-athletes have experienced in their lifetime. The snow-covered mountains coupled with the outstanding performances by student-athletes from all disciplines within SVSEF made for an extraordinary 2016-2017 ski and snowboard season. The rigorous schedule of trying to balance school, personal life, family, and sport is an enormous challenge. All of the kids in SVSEF deserve a round of applause for this very important life skill that they all get to practice every day throughout the winter months. But, it doesn’t stop there! SVSEF is a year-round program; therefore, this skill is constantly being fine-tuned. Congratulations to all of you for your hard work and dedication 12 months of the year.
This year we launched a tutoring program with instructors that had subject specific knowledge. It was a successful program that we are looking forward to building on next year. I would like to thank our tutors for their time and commitment. More importantly, I want to give a huge congratulations to those that attended tutoring consistently so that they could continue to excel in school just like they do on snow. At any given time, there were anywhere between five and ten students taking advantage of our academic support. The effort by the student-athletes was truly amazing!
Lastly, at the end of every season, we recognize those student-athletes who were able to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher. As stated before, this is a challenging task and they deserve recognition. Congratulations to the following:
Laine Allison
Ben Anderson
Wyatt Barth
Jackson Bevers
John Blackburn
Grace Bloomfield
Isabella Bourret
Lily Brunelle
Aidan Burchmore
Cailin Chandler
Henry Cherp
Skylar Cooley
Cash Dart
Cooper Dart
Caroline Dean
Hunter Diehl
Blake Deilke
Wilson Dunn
Katherine Estep
Will Everitt
Madison Ferris
Lily Fitzgerald
Ellie Gorham
Jake Gorham
Buey Grossman
Eva Grover
Johnny Hagenbuch
Joe Hall
Ashley Helm
Sage Holter
Kate Horowitz
Merumo Ishimaru
Addy Jacobsen
Anja Jensen
Eve Jensen
Kaia Jensen
Libby Kaiser
Tom Klose
Ella Kopplin
Walter Lafky
Alex Lafleur
Charlie Lamb
Sascha Leidecker
Libby Lindstrom
Ridley Lindstrom
Emma MacGuffie
Elle Mann
Eliza Marks
Katherine Markthaler
Sophia Mazzoni
Kiran Merchant
Molly Milgard
Wyatt Minor
Keene Morawitz
Max Moss
Max Noddings
Jenna Nurge
Landon Nurge
Michaela Petty
Grace Pepin
Julian Plank
Carlota Pomes-Rovira
Henry Raff
Addison Rafford
Alli Rathfon
Katelyn Rathfon
Sage Rheinschild
Nikki Sabiers
Meeks Sanchez-DuPont
Alexandra Schaffner
Rosa Schaffner
Bergen Schmidt
Zoe Simon
Erin Smith
Jack Smith
Bennett Snyder
Elk Spencer
Kate Stone
Charlie Stumph
Chloe Tanous
Hayden Terjeson
Sarah Troxel
Bentley Walker-Broose
Carley Walther-Porino
Keegan Webber
Ella Wolter
Peter Wolter
Spencer Wright
Tia Vontver
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2016-2017 End of Season Awards
Thanks to everyone, from athletes to parents, from coaches to sponsors to community members, who supported SVSEF throughout the season and helped make it an exceptional one. We’re proud of all of our athletes’ efforts, and are constantly impressed by how hardworking and inspiring they are.
With banquets this April came season-end awards; here are this year’s recipients. Congratulations to all SVSEF athletes on a great year!
Freestyle
A Team
Male Athlete of the Year: Luke Rizzo
Female Athlete of the Year: Eliza Marks
MVP: Holden Largay
Most Inspirational (voted on by the athletes): Luke Rizzo
Most Improved: Mikel Sanchez-duPont
Dark Horse: Toby Rafford
John R. Kalik True North Scholarship: Rainey Wilson
Volunteer / Community Service: Wilson Dunn, Brody Buchwalter, Hunter Diehl, Axel Diehl, Esmee Verheijen, Rainey Wilson
B Team
Most Improved: Paola Alvarado
Most Inspirational: Anton Holter
Most Dedicated (based on attendance): Quincy McGraw
Freeski
Halfpipe Award (most improvement in halfpipe): Harper Mallet
World Traveler Award: Hanna Blackwell
Style Award: most improved in style and flow in his overall skiing – Joey Markthaler
Big Air Award: Will Griffith
MVP: Ridge Dirksmeier
Snowboard
Stand Out/MVP Girl: Zoe Bacca
Stand Out/MVP Boy: Jack Verheaghe
Dark Horse: Caleb Hothem
Most Improved: Emma Schmillen
Travel Team
Stand Out/MVP: Payton Bacca
People’s Champ Award: Phebe Ericksen
Alpine
Howard Dean Scholarship: Sky Leininger
Mountain Kidd: Cooper Dart
Life Coach Award: Galen Webster
John R. Kalik True North Scholarship: Kaia Jensen
SVSEF Alpine Longevity Award: Katelyn Rathfon, Noah Leininger, Lukas DeWolfe
Peggy & Sigi Engl Award Alpine Women: Katelyn Rathfon
Peggy & Sigi Engl Awards Alpine Men: Hayden Terjeson
Leif Odmark, FIS Women: Kaia Jensen
Leif Odmark, FIS Men: Max Noddings
Gary Black Jr. Memorial Race
Billy Klein Award – U12 Boy: Tor Johnston
Bonnie Russel Trophy – U14 Girl: Jessica Blackburn
Christin Cooper Award – U16 Girl: Cailin Chandler
Kathleen Harriman Mortimer – U12 Girl: Paige DeHart
Smith Goggle Award – U14 Boy: Ben Goitiandia
Gretchen Fraser Award – U10 Girl: Ella Shaugnessy
Pete Patterson Award – U10 Boy: Quintin Buoncristiani
Roy Hobson Award Women: Jessica Blackburn
Roy Hobson Award Men: Ben Goitiandia
IMD Team
Most Improved Boy: Skye Leininger
Most Improved Girl: Anwhei Kirk
Passion Award Boy: Jett Carruth
Passion Award Girl: Lola Street
Performers Boy: Ryder Sarchett
Performers Girl: Merit Kaiser
Most Inspirational Boy: Skye Leininger
Mini World Cup Team
Coaches Award Boy: Owen Walker
Coaches Award Girl: Audrey Morawitz
Outstanding Skier Boy: Tucker Smith
Outstanding Skier Girl: Taylor Hovey
Most Improved Boy: Quintin Buoncristiani
Most Improved Girl: Eden Gardner
Mini World Cup Women: Taylor Hovey
Mini World Cup Men: Tucker Smith
North Series Team
“Cheeso” Memorial – North Series Perpetual: Tommy Normand
Most Improved Boy: Bodin Lee
Most Improved Girl: Maeve Bailey
Coaches Award Boy: Hank Moss
Coaches Award Girl: Paige DeHart
Most Inspirational Boy: Jesse Keefe
Most Inspirational Girl: Charlotte Davis-Jeffers
USSA Team
Most Improved Boy: Wyatt Barth
Most Improved Girl: Cailin Chandler
Passion Award Boy: Bennet Snyder
Passion Award Girl: Merumo Ishimaru
Most Inspirational Boy: Wyatt Barth
Most Inspirational Girl: Lily Fitzgerald/Carlota Pomes
FIS Team
Most Improved Boy: Charlie Lamb
Most Improved Girl: Erin Smith
Passion Award Boy: Fillipo Collini
Passion Award Girl: Haley Cutler
Most Inspirational Boy: Duncan Fuller
Most Inspirational Girl: Sage Rheinschild
Cross Country
Comp Team
Outstanding Boy and Girl: Johnny Hagenbuch, Sophia Mazzoni
Most Improved Boy and Girl: Landon Paschall, Katherine Estep
Rookie Boy and Girl: Cash Dart, Anja Jensen
Most Inspirational Boy and Girl (voted on by teammates): Peter Wolter, Ella Wolter
Coaches Award: Henry Raff
Engl Award: Peter Wolter, Lily Brunelle
Torin Norton Tucker Scholarship Award: Joe Hall
John R. Kalik True North Scholarship Award: Sophia Mazzoni
Prep Team
Outstanding Boy and Girl: Blake DeHart, Logan Smith
Most Improved Boy and Girl: Alex Shafer, Kelby Whitehead
Coaches Award Boy and Girl: Sebi Radl-Jones, Taylor Dorland
Most Inspirational Boy and Girl (voted on by teammates): Sebi Radl-Jones, Luci Ludwig
Photos courtesy of (L-R): Jennifer Diehl, Glen Allison, Glen Allison, Rick Millet
The Week in Review: 4/18/17
Freeskiing
The Freeskiing Team wrapped up competition at USASA Nationals at Copper in Colorado. SVSEF athlete Ben Fethke had a strong halfpipe finish, coming in second in the Menehune (10-11) boys field of 38 competitors. For other top results, see last week’s Week in Review.
Full results here
A total of 60 athletes from across the country have been invited to participate at the 2017 USSA Project Gold camp, to be held May 15-22 at Mammoth Mountain. Criteria for invitation was based on results from the Revolution Tour, Junior Nationals, USASA Nationals and select discretion. Five SVSEF Freeski athletes have earned a spot at the camp: Ben Fethke, Harper Mallet, Ridge Dirksmeier, Hanna Blackwell and Jed Waters have all made the cut. Athletes will have access to a 22-foot pipe with air bags, Mammoth’s Unbound Terrain Park, and a private jump with airbag. Athletes will work with U.S. Freeskiing Team coaches, including SVSEF alum Ben Verge, along with top program coaches from around the country. The aim of this camp is for athletes to work on setting goals, learn new tricks and improve skills.
ALPINE
FIS
Despite two cancelled races for both men and women last week, SVSEF FIS athletes capitalized on the downhill and super G events, held at Mammoth April 15-16. In a field of nearly 40 athletes, Spencer Wright charged to a win in the downhill. Hayden Terjeson finished 14th and Filippo Collini 17th. In the women’s field of 23, Erin Smith was eighth, Skylar Cooley 9th and Kaia Jensen 17th. Haley Cutler did not finish her first run, but bounced back the next day in the super G, claiming victory in the women’s competition. Erin was ninth, Kaia 20th and Skylar did not finish her first run. In the men’s super G, Filippo led the men in fourth, Spencer was seventh and Hayden 16th.
Full results here
FIS/USSA
The Snowbird Snowcup Series/Last Chance wrapped up on April 12, with a giant slalom instead of the scheduled super Gs (one day of racing was lost earlier in the week because of deteriorating snow conditions). In the women’s race, SVSEF claimed two podium spots, with Alli Rathfon in second and Lily Fitzgerald in third. Three other SVSEF racers made the top 20; Maddie Ferris was 12th, Merumo Ishimaru 14th and Carlota Pomes 17th. SVSEF placed a remarkable eight out of the top 20 men in the giant slalom; Jack Smith was seventh, Max Noddings ninth, Noah Leininger 11th, Bennett Snyder 13th, Will Snyder 14th, Thomas Klose 16th, U14 Ryder Sarchett 19th and Buey Grossman 20th.
Full results here
In the Intermountain Cup, SVSEF dominated both individual disciplines and the overall 2017 Bryce Astle title. Jack Smith and Lily Fitzgerald were overall champions. SVSEF men swept the downhill podium, as did the women, and SVSEF had a representative on every podium except the men’s giant slalom.
Downhill Men: Duncan Fuller-1, Spencer Wright-2, Charlie Lamb-3
Downhill Ladies: Erin Smith-1, Ruby Marden-2, Skylar Coolie-3
Super-G Men: Jack Smith-1, Jeremy Mathers-2, Bridger Harrison (OV)-3
Super-G Ladies: Lily Fitzgerald-1, Alli Rathfon-2, Elena Zipp (RM)-3
Giant Slalom Men: Holden Parazette (JH)-1, Sam Dupratt (UU)-2, Max Miller (PC)-3
Giant Slalom Ladies: Lily Fitzgerald-1, Alli Rathfon-2, Anya Mulligan (RM)-3
Slalom Men: Holden Parazette (JH)-1, Bennett Snyder-2, Hunter Carlson (FLO)-3
Slalom Ladies: Lily Fitzgerald-1, Merum Ishamura-2, Danika Mannelin (RM)-3
IMD
IMD U14 Spring Project, Grand Targhee, April 8-10, overall results
The Week in Review: 4/11/17
ALPINE
FIS
SVSEF athletes finished out a week of spring series racing at Mammoth on a high note; Haley Culter won both ladies’ giant slalom races on April 5. Katelyn Rathfon had solid results, with a 13th and 14th place finishes. Erin Smith was 16th and 11th and Skylar Cooley 18th and 16th. In the men’s slalom races on the same day, Will Snyder finished fifth in the first event, and John Blackburn 11th. Yuri McClure was 17th and Cooper Dart 19th. Will Snyder maintained composure, with a 7th place in the second event of the day. Filippo Collini made top 20 in 15th. Super G competition for both men and women, scheduled for April 7 & 8, was cancelled.
Full results here
IMD
Six athletes just finished up a short ski and skill building camp at Targhee. Lena Nelson, Colin Hanna, Paige DeHart, Cole Curci, Nils Galloway and Jessica Blackburn attended.
FIS/USSA
SVSEF put three athletes in the top 10 in both men and women’s slalom races to get the week started at the Snowbird Snowcup Series/Last Chance. Lily Fitzgerald and Merumo Ishimaru took gold and silver for women, and Maddie Ferris was seventh. Cailin Chandler and Marit Kaiser both moved up considerably; Cailin from bib 39 to 16th, and Marit from bib 42 to 17th. Jack Smith made the podium in third for men, Bennett Snyder was sixth and Charlie Lamb ninth. Ridley Lindstrom made moves, going from bib 53 to 16th. Ryder Sarchett was the second fastest U14, and 29th overall.
In the second slalom event on April 9, Merumo Ishimaru kept the momentum going with another second place, and Lily Fitzgerald stayed up there in fourth. Maddie Ferris was sixth, Katelyn Rathfon ninth and Alli Rathfon 14th. Bennett Snyder was SVSEF’s top male finisher in seventh; four others broke the top 20, with Charlie Lamb in 11th, Carter Jendrezak 12th, Buey Grossman tied for 16th and Ryder Sarchett with another great performance in 18th. He was the top U14 finisher in this race.
A giant slalom race scheduled for April 10 was cancelled due to bad snow.
Preliminary results from Live Timing show Will Snyder in fifth and Jack Smith in sixth in the men’s giant slalom on April 11, and five women in the top 10; Alli Rathfon in first, Lily Fitzgerald i second, Maddie Ferris seventh, Merumo Ishimaru eighth and Carlota Pomes ninth. Competition continues tomorrow with super G.
Full results here
Live timing men’s GS
Live timing women’s GS
FREESKI
Nine SVSEF Freeski athletes are at Copper in Colorado for USASA Nationals. In halfpipe competition that took place on April 10, SVSEF Breaker boys (12-13) stood out, landing four athletes in the top 15 out of 45 competitors; Harper Mallett just missed the podium in fourth, Ridge Dirksmeier was fifth, Joey Markthaler eighth and Dylan Mills 15th. In the women’s open class for halfpipe, Hanna Blackwell was third. Competition continues tomorrow with slopestyle and halfpipe competition.
Full results here
Athlete of the Month, March 2017 – Holden Largay
The athlete of the month for March is Holden Largay, 18, a member of the Freestyle Travel A Team. Holden joined SVSEF this season as a post grad athlete, after skiing in his hometown of Missoula, Montana through the end of his high school career. This was his first season with a full-time ski program; his recent results have shown the impact from this adjustment. He was the top SVSEF freestyle skier this year, with five overall podiums and a fourth place overall finish at Junior Nationals here in Sun Valley in March. Holden was third in his M19 age group, earning him qualification to the USSA Young Guns Elite Camp in July at Utah Olympic Park.
Most recently, Holden competed at U.S. Nationals in Steamboat Springs, CO, March 30-April 1. In the moguls competition, he made finals, and finished 13th overall in a field that featured top athletes from across the country. In the finals, he nearly scored a perfect 10 on his cork 1080 – one of the hardest tricks in the book – with a 9.7. The last SVSEF athlete to make it to finals at U.S. Nationals was Shane Cordeau, back in 2012 at Stratton Mountain in Vermont.
https://youtu.be/7p_Xowy3eSY
13th place run at U.S. Nationals
Dual round of 16, vs. U.S. Ski Team athlete Ryan Dyer (lost by decision)