Athlete of the Week: April 5
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This is the final installment of Athlete of the Week for the 2018-2019 season.
SVSEF provides ski and snowboard programming to nearly 700 athletes in the Wood River Valley. Athlete of the Week is an opportunity to highlight individuals who embody the values championed by this organization; sportsmanship, citizenship, character, teamwork, creativity, passion and perseverance.
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Ethan Marx, 15, Big Mountain Team
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Conor Davis" job_title="Big Mountain Head Coach" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/staff_cdavis.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Ethan has been a crossover athlete, training with both the Alpine USSA team and with the Big Mountain team this season. He has been a role model athlete for both teams. Ethan has focused mostly on the big mountain side of competition this winter; a fifth place finish at Whistler in March secured his spot at the North American Championships at Kicking Horse this upcoming week (watch his runs here). I’m really proud of him, especially since he’s at the bottom of his age bracket, being 15 and skiing against older and more experienced athletes (his age group covers 15-18 year olds).
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Photo by Tim Carter
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Jack Tierney, 12, Freestyle Progression
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Wyatt Wilson" job_title="Freestyle Coach" _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Jack has made large improvements on his skiing and jumping in the past weeks. Down at Rotarun, he has worked hard on his backflip so he can bring it to the snow next season. His dedication and work ethic have been a great example for his teammates. We are really excited to see him develop as a skier and athlete.
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Falon Hanna, 16, Alpine FIS
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Nate Schwing" job_title="FIS Head Coach" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/staff_nateschwing.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Falon has a great deal of passion for the sport of ski racing and her teammates. Through her consistent enthusiastic effort, she has shown a lot of progression throughout this season, and an affinity for speed. Falon found a passion for her speed through her excellent results at Schweitzer, and she is excited to continue that energy as we head to Mammoth, California as we will be racing downhill, super G, GS and slalom to finish out the season.
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Athlete of the Week: March 22
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SVSEF provides ski and snowboard programming to nearly 700 athletes in the Wood River Valley. Athlete of the Week is an opportunity to highlight individuals who embody the values championed by this organization; sportsmanship, citizenship, character, teamwork, creativity, passion and perseverance.
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Luke Rizzo, 18, Freestyle Travel
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="John Grigsby" job_title="Freestyle Travel Head Coach" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/staff_johngrigsby.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Luke is one of our graduating seniors who has grown up through SVSEF. He has continued to pursue his passion for skiing; from devo to alpine to freestyle, his love for the sport resonates throughout his training. This past year came with many challenges coming off of an extremely successful competition season the year before. Luke was faced with a difficult situation of juggling his scholastics and intense training/competition schedule. He finished the season with some impressive results, placing 18th at Junior Nationals and 25th at US National Championships. We're really proud of Luke, his hard work and dedication, and what he's accomplished this season
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Photo by Hillary Maybery
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Anika Vandenburgh, 13, Cross Country Prep Pro
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Kelley Sinnott" job_title="Prep Team Head Coach & XC Assistant Program Director" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ks4.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Anika is a kind and spirited young lady who motivates her peers by setting an example. She’s small but mighty; when she puts her mind to something, she really commits to it, and always with a positive attitude.
A few weeks ago, she competed at Western States at Soldier Hollow. Although she is a U14, she decided to race as a U16 – she wanted a challenge and she wanted to see what she could do. That in and of itself was an accomplishment. Not only did Anika make this decision, but she rose to the challenge, and she did it with energy and grit as she always does. Post-race, having stuck with girls who were heads taller, she was ready to do it again. Anika has a go-after-it, positive attitude that her teammates really feed from, and it’s really cool to see.
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Thomas DeKlotz, 15, Freeski Travel Team
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Tyler Conway" job_title="Freeski Head Coach" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/staff_tylerconway.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Thomas makes skiing fun with his great attitude. In recent weeks He has really started pushing himself and gaining a lot of confidence and it really shows in his skiing. Thomas continues to learn new tricks on the daily with smooth style and perfection. Keep up the good work and send it.
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Athlete of the Week: March 8
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SVSEF provides ski and snowboard programming to nearly 700 athletes in the Wood River Valley. Athlete of the Week is an opportunity to highlight individuals who embody the values championed by this organization; sportsmanship, citizenship, character, teamwork, creativity, passion and perseverance.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.3.1"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="3.3.1" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Olive Gilbert, 13, Snowboard Travel
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Rick Millett" job_title="Snowboard Travel Coach" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/staff_rickmillett.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]Congratulations to Olive on Athlete of the Week. She has been progressing quite a bit with her riding. Olive has had a couple of really great competition results and has been learning more tricks and riding skills; I am very excited to take her to Copper Mountain, Colorado, for USASA Nationals! Olive is really fun to travel with, and she is always down for an adventure. Her curiosity and eagerness to grow and learn in this sport have been great to see. Keep up the good work, Olive! [/et_pb_testimonial][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="3.3.1" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_image src="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/olive.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.3.1"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="3.3.1" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Margaret Fisher, 9, Baldy Devo
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Brian Caulkins" job_title="Baldy Devo and LASAR Head Coach" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/staff_briancaulkins.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]Margaret is new on team this year. She overcame her fears from the first weekend, skiing all over Baldy. She is a good teammate and brings a great smile daily. We are grateful to have her on team and we are excited to watch her grow.[/et_pb_testimonial][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="3.3.1" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_image src="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/image000000.jpg" align="center" _builder_version="3.3.1"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.3.1"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="3.3.1" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Brian Heekin, 16, Big Mountain
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Conor Davis" job_title="Big Mountain Head Coach" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/staff_cdavis.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Our Athlete of the Week is Brian Heekin. He really surprised me at Targhee. He has kind of been our dark horse this year – he’s never really been the hard charger of the group, but he ended up having the highest place out of whole SVSEF crew this weekend, finishing seventh. Brian has been working really hard, and with all this soft snow he has really been pushing himself; it showed this past weekend in competition.
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Athlete of the Week: February 8
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SVSEF provides ski and snowboard programming to nearly 700 athletes in the Wood River Valley. Athlete of the Week is an opportunity to highlight individuals who embody the values championed by this organization; sportsmanship, citizenship, character, teamwork, creativity, passion and perseverance.
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Caleb Hothem, 13, Snowboard Travel
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Andy Gilbert" job_title="Snowboard Travel Head Coach" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/andygilbert_staff-photo.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Caleb has been with the team for several seasons and is a big part of our growing snowboard team family. He is always enthusiastic about being there and rarely misses a session.
This past week, Caleb was named the male winner of the Beverly Hay Snowboard Cup. This is SVSEF’s only dedicated snowboard award and is a big deal in our sideways world. Caleb showed up ready to go, with a plan and a great attitude all week. At one point, he said to his coaches, “I’m just riding lazy,” and then proceeded to adjust that and win both boardercross races on Friday at Dollar.
Not always the first name you hear on the result page, but on and off the hill Caleb has a huge heart and it is starting to pay off for him!
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Isaac Burks, 10, Mini Xtreme
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Ben Schumacher" job_title="MiniX Head Coach" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/staff_ben-schumacher_sm.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Isaac Burks is a fun kid! His voice is constantly ringing through the team with a lot of happiness. Isaac is always early and stoked to show up to practice. His best pal on MiniX, Alex, pushes him to new heights – like last weekend, when they launched the big jump at Dollar together. It takes a lot of courage to trust your friends when you have to straight line for 200 yards into a massive jump you have never done before. Thanks to the freeski progression athletes for guiding these guys safely. His voice after the massive straight air exploded upon hitting the transition smoothly. Big air runs in his family. Good job, Isaac, and stay happy.
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Taylor Rixon, 14, Alpine USSA
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Chuck Harris" job_title="Alpine USSA Head Coach" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/staff_chuckharris.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Taylor has made tremendous progress in his skiing. He is a dedicated athlete both in the gym and on the snow. His quirky sense of humor, curiosity for the sport, and willingness to support his teammates are all a huge bonus for the USSA Team.
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Athlete of the Week: January 24
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SVSEF provides ski and snowboard programming to nearly 700 athletes in the Wood River Valley. Athlete of the Week is an opportunity to highlight individuals who embody the values championed by this organization; sportsmanship, citizenship, character, teamwork, creativity, passion and perseverance.
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Anhwei Kirk, 16, Alpine USSA
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Chuck Harris" job_title="Alpine USSA Head Coach" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/staff_chuckharris.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]
[/et_pb_testimonial][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="3.3.1" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_image src="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/anhwei-kirk.jpeg" _builder_version="3.3.1"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.3.1"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="3.3.1" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Reid Black, 11, Mini X
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Ben Schumacher" job_title="Mini Xtreme Head Coach" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/bens.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]Reid Black is our Mini X Athlete of the Week. He is a positive force amongst all the negative we are surrounded by these days. He cracks jokes all the time and gets along with everyone young and old, male and female. Reid has been making a lot of progress in his skiing this year and is very adventurous, always suggesting the gnarliest runs he can. Reid has clear goals of wanting to be on the Big Mountain team when he comes of age and is responsible with his money. He values ski team highly and is held accountable at home for his participation.
[/et_pb_testimonial][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="3.3.1" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_image src="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/reid.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.3.1"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="3.3.1" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Presly Watson, 12, Freestyle Progression
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="John Grigsby" job_title="Freestyle Head Coach" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/staff_johngrigsby.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]Presly competed in her first mogul event ever this past weekend at Snowbowl. She cooly and calmly surmounted her pre-race jitters and gave it her all right out of the gate. Presly has a great attitude and is a supportive teammate – she was throwing out high-fives in the finish pen all weekend. We're excited to see Presly continue to progress this season.
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Photo by Hillary Maybery
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.3.1"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="3.3.1" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Ridge Dirksmeier, 15, Freeski Travel
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Tyler Conway" job_title="Freeski Head Coach" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/staff_tylerconway.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]Ridge Dirksmeier is back at it after having knee surgery in the fall. Hitting the gym and physical therapy, Ridge has put a lot of hard work into getting to 100%. His dedication and commitment to freeskiing thrive when he is on his skis. He is always out there to be better and push the limits. Look for Ridge to throw down in upcoming slopestyle and halfpipe events. Follow THIS LINK for his latest on-hill antics.
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Athlete of the Week: January 18
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SVSEF provides ski and snowboard programming to nearly 700 athletes in the Wood River Valley. Athlete of the Week is an opportunity to highlight individuals who embody the values championed by this organization; sportsmanship, citizenship, character, teamwork, creativity, passion and perseverance.
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Tucker Smith, 11, Cross Country Prep (and Alpine North Series)
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Kelley Sinnott" job_title="Cross Country Prep Team Head Coach" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ks4.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Tucker is an incredibly committed and hard-working individual. He takes advantage of every opportunity given to him, and he never holds back. With two older sisters who have seen success competitively in cross country skiing, Tucker is able to recognize the advantage of being so close to this (he'll ski behind Sammy in intervals and really push himself). At the same time, he remains supportive of their endeavors. Tucker gets along with everyone and is a great teammate. His drive, motivation and good nature are apparent to us and also to the coaches of the North Series team (Tucker is a two-sport SVSEF athlete).
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Octavio Hurtado, 9, Baldy Devo
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Brian Caulkins" job_title="Baldy Devo and LASAR Head Coach" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/staff_briancaulkins.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]Octavio started with us two years ago on the LASAR team at Rotarun. This season, he went to his dad and stated that he wanted to ski on Baldy; he is now a part of the Baldy Devo team. Octavio is a kid who is working harder than anyone to improve his skiing. He listens well and is a great teammate, and we’re excited to see him enjoying the outdoors. We can see his skiing going far![/et_pb_testimonial][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="3.3.1" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_image src="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/octavio.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.3.1"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="3.3.1" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Emily Wright, 11, Alpine North Series
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Josie Brownell" job_title="North Series Coach" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/j_brownell_staff.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"]Emily was a great addition to SVSEF when she joined Mini World Cup last year. Now being on North Series this season, she raises the whole team up with her positivity and love of skiing and ski racing. Despite it being bitterly cold at our races at Snow King last weekend, Emily always came back around to the start to pump up her teammates and bring jackets down to the finish. Emily always shows up to training excited to ski and never wants to take a break. We love having Emily on team and hope she sticks with it for years to come![/et_pb_testimonial][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="3.3.1" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_image src="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/emilywright.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.3.1"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="3.3.1" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Addie Rafford, 17, Big Mountain
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Amy David" job_title="Big Mountain Coach" _builder_version="3.3.1"]
Addie stepped up to tackle her long term goal of landing her first backflip. On the Targhee training trip she took the time to reshape the jump, visualize herself succeeding, then sent it executing a perfect flip to her feet. We were all proud of her bravery and determination.
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Athlete of the Week: December 6
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SVSEF provides ski and snowboard programming to nearly 700 athletes in the Wood River Valley. Athlete of the Week is an opportunity to highlight individuals who embody the values championed by this organization; sportsmanship, citizenship, character, teamwork, creativity, passion and perseverance.
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Zach Quesnel, 11, Cross Country Prep
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Kelley Sinnott" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ks4.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1" job_title="Cross Country Assistant Program Director and Prep Team Head Coach"]
Zach Quesnel is the epitome of team spirit! His energy and enthusiasm for cross country skiing and the SVSEF team is never-ending and contagious; from below freezing temps to intervals to games, Zach tackles all the parts of skiing with the same zest for adventure and fun. Zach has demonstrated his constant positivity on a daily basis in training, but also recently at the team training camp in West Yellowstone. Zach’s energy was visibly rubbing off on his teammates and the older kids at that camp, with his never-ceasing smile and excitement for each day on snow; he quickly was named by the older kids their own 'personal mascot.' This is Zach’s first year on Prep Team, and we can only hope that this young man’s love of skiing and SVSEF will be as strong tomorrow as it is today!
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Merumo Ishimaru, 16, Alpine FIS
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Josie Brownell" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/j_brownell_staff.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1" job_title="Alpine Program Coordinator & North Series Coach"]
This is Merumo’s first year on the FIS team, and the coaches have already seen tremendous growth this season. Mer is working hard on snow and in the gym and consistently brings great energy to every session. Last weekend, while freeskiing, Mer saw a man fall and asked her coach if she could stop to help him. The man was blown away by her level of respect for other skiers, and retold the story to other SVSEF coaches he saw throughout the day. Mer is starting the season off right and we are so pumped to have her on the team!
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Caleo Morrison, 10, Mini Xtreme & Cross Country Devo North
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Ben Schumacher" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/bens.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1" job_title="Mini Xtreme Head Coach"]
Caleo Morrison is our pick because of his positive attitude during the last dryland training. We took a small hike up above the barn and stopped for a little meeting. Caleo and his pal Silas wanted to go higher and he ran to a high point above the barn. I told this story to his dad Brian, and he said Caleo always has run like a deer.
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Mikey Nannini, 16, Big Mountain
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author="Conor Davis" portrait_url="https://svsef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/staff_cdavis.jpg" _builder_version="3.3.1" job_title="Big Mountain Head Coach"]
The Big Mountain Team would like to highlight Mikey Nannini as our Athlete of the Week. Mikey is our team cowboy with a strong handshake which also displays his genuine character. He is commuting from Kimberly to be a part of this team and has been such an asset to the team dynamic; he is always positive and enthusiastic. Mikey is a strong athlete – he also competes in team roping, and won the Filer Rodeo this fall. I can see that he is determined to continually improve his skiing abilities, and he has shown that he is willing to work hard to achieve his goals!
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Mikey Nannini from svsef on Vimeo.
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Athlete of the Week: December 14
"Athlete of the Week" is an opportunity to highlight our athletes for demonstrating the core values of the organization.
Sportsmanship • Citizenship • Character • Teamwork • Creativity • Passion • Perseverance
ALPINE: LOLA STREET
Lola Street, 14, is this week’s alpine athlete of the week. Lola has done an amazing job this fall and early winter on all fronts. She has managed to crush her dryland training and factor in as a leading member of her volleyball squad. Now that winter is upon us, she is taking that drive and persistence to the training slopes. Lola’s coach Chuck Harris commented, “Lola has done a wonderful job in our prep season and is now bringing that joy, drive, and fire to the training hill. She is great athlete and a wonderful teammate on the USSA squad.” Lola exemplifies the SVSEF core values and we are super stoked to have the opportunity to give her this shout out. Well deserved.
CROSS COUNTRY: SYDNEY PALMER-LEGER
CROSS COUNTRY: SYDNEY PALMER-LEGERSydney Palmer-Leger, 15, relocated to Sun Valley this year with her family. Her brother, Drew, is also part of the cross country program as a post grad athlete. As soon as she joined the team, her values and personality were apparent – Program Director Rick Kapala noted that she “immediately elevated the group, and has constantly engaged her teammates at practices in a positive way.” With an incredible work ethic, a great head for racing and an attitude geared towards taking advantage of every opportunity given to her to improve, Sydney is an example of how hard work pays off. Results at early season races indicate that she’s made a jump from being one of the best U16s country to, quite possibly, the best – she is able to compete at the highest level with the best juniors out there. “We knew she was a really good cross country racer, but what we’ve figured out is that she is a really good teammate and really engaging – we couldn’t be happier,” said Kapala.
MOGULS: RAINEY WILSON
Rainey Wilson, 16, is the athlete of the week for moguls. Rainey, a member of the Travel Team, has been been showing up to training everyday to prepare for U.S. Freestyle Selections. Coach Kurtis Fieguth commended Rainey. “She is always a great role model for the younger athletes in the program. She does this by staying positive, working hard, and having fun.” Rainey is the only female athlete from the Travel Team to qualify this year for U.S. Selections, which are being held in Winter Park Colorado.
PARK & PIPE: CHARLEY BINGHAM
Charley Bingham, 16, is the park & pipe athlete of the week. Charley is always happy to be on his skis – Program Director Tyler Conway testified to this, saying, “Charley is one of the most stoked athletes I have every skied with.” He is out there every day, is eager to learn and progress in his slopestyle skiing, and is constantly pushing teammates and himself on and off the hill, throwing high fives all around.” The SVSEF park and pipe team is thrilled that Charley is part of the squad.
Athlete of the Month, December 2016 – Matt Gelso
Each month, we’ll be featuring an SVSEF athlete who has been selected by program directors in recognition of exceptional results in their respective sport.
Matt Gelso, a 28-year old Gold Team cross country skier who has been with SVSEF for going on seven years now, started the season with a bang and established himself as the male leader after period one on the Super Tour circuit, which draws top athletes from across the United States. Matt decidedly won both Super Tour events at the season opener in West Yellowstone, December 3 and 4. He proceeded to net two more commendable results on the circuit just a week later at the Silver Star Nor Ams in British Columbia, with a fifth place finish in the classic sprint event and a second place podium in the 15km skate race. Ending period one of the Super Tour in first has qualified him for World Cup starts in Sweden and South Korea in January and February. Before heading overseas, however, Matt will be competing at U.S. Nationals, beginning this Saturday at Soldier Hollow in Utah.
Chris Mallory, Head Gold Team Coach, expanded on Matt’s preparation and progression, noting that “Matt has certainly found his stride this season. He brought a lot of focus to the training year and I think for him, being able to spend four weeks of the summer and fall on snow this year really helped. He’s been with the Gold Team for seven years now, so he’s got a great amount of experience and knowledge of what he needs to do to find his form.”
Matt is no newcomer to success in the sport, as he has amassed a number of standout results throughout his racing career. From his time as a junior skier in Truckee, California, to his four years as a racer for the University of Colorado to his current place on the Gold Team, Matt has competed at FIS World Cups and FIS World Ski Championships, has secured top-three results at U.S. National Championships and has won an NCAA individual championship. Starting the season off with these strong finishes bodes well for the athlete as he looks to qualify for the FIS World Ski Championships, which take place this year in late February in Lahti, Finland.[osd_social_media_sharing]
Athlete of the Month, November – Maddie Ferris
For the athlete who has grown up on snow, who knows what a good turn feels like and who has cultivated a love for the sport, dryland training can drag on for a bit; especially when we’re still patiently waiting for more of the natural stuff to fall into place while December quietly creeps in. Dedication is indeed a virtue in these circumstances for the SVSEF athlete; with this in mind, our inaugural SVSEF athlete of the month for the 2016-2017 season is Maddie Ferris, for embodying this and embracing the rigors of dryland training in the lead up to what is sure to be a season with plenty of snow, soon enough.
Maddie is an alpine skier on the SVSEF Alpine USSA Team, and is a tenth grader at the Community School. After a number of successes last season, she has been working hard to make gains both in the weight room and with on-snow technique. Maddie has been putting in the time, and the benefits of doing so are showing through. Aside from the sessions here at home, she has attended three training camps, in Mammoth, Colorado, and New Zealand. Said Will Brandenburg, Head USSA Coach, “Maddie has had a great offseason. She worked hard to make some major improvements on snow, and off the snow she dedicated herself to the gym, making huge changes in her strength. She has pushed herself to new limits and it has been super fun to see the hard work!”
We’re looking forward to seeing how Maddie’s commitment and resolve translate onto snow this season.