Coaching for her tenth year, Ms. Nicole Rasmussen feels that they will again be very competitive in their section and that the combination of the talented younger skiers and the team’s more experienced skiers will be crucial to the their success. “The mix of ability levels will give them a good chance at state, as long as they stay consistent,” said Ms. Rasmussen.

After merely two weeks of practice, the past team dynamics are proving to be true again this season: “They are a really goofy group and they have a lot of fun, but they know when they need to be serious,” said Ms. Rasmussen.

Team captains seniors Nate Hansen, David Greco, Andrea Radke, and junior Katie McKeever, who have all been on the team since seventh grade, have equally high expectations. “We know we have to work hard, but if we do that we could be really good this year,” said Greco.

They compete in two major invitationals this year, including the Welch Village Invitational, the largest high-school invitational in the country. Greco hopes for the team to rank in the top three in these invitationals. “They really help us prepare for state and give us a good idea of how we’ll do,” said Greco.

With many of the girls also skiing on USSA (Unites States Ski Association) teams and many strong returning skiers, the team is hopeful. “Falling in the races really hurt us last year, so consistency is big, but I think the team can do it. Especially with our strong skiers like Andrea Radke–she’s good,” said Hansen.

The team didn’t lose very many seniors at the end of the last season, and senior captain Hansen hopes that their four days a week of practicing and multiple races will give them just what they need to win state this year. “This is the last chance for the boys’ team to really be good, this is the year we’ve been building for,” said Hansen.