Freshman Abigail Swanson has proven to be one of BSM Alpine Ski Team’s top talents, and she is hoping her success can, in turn, help the team.

With what is already a very good team, Swanson’s skiing ability furthers the team’s success, and the team is establishing themselves as one of the most successful BSM winter sports teams this year. “The team is doing very [well] this year.  The girls especially are doing very well in [the] conference, and did well at the Invites,” Swanson explained. “Hopefully we will have some qualifiers for State this year.”

Swanson, who also enjoys watching skiing, models her style after two skiers. “I try to ski like Mikaela Shiffrin because she is always having fun.  I also try to ski like Lindsey Vonn because she is fearless and very focused,” Swanson said.

Swanson started skiing at a very early age, and she has loved it since she started so many years ago. “I have been alpine skiing since I was eighteen months old, and racing since first grade,” Swanson said.

To continue to further her skiing success, she trains almost every day, and practices on her own in addition to attending team practices and meets. “I train as much as I can.  I hardly ever miss practice during the week and I race almost every weekend.  When I am not racing I always try to go out and ski and work on drills, even if there is not practice,” Swanson said.

Like many athletes, she has a few superstitions that give her confidence that she will perform well in a race. “I always memorize the course and I have two pairs of the same skis but I always use the same pair for racing,” Swanson said.

With the season in full swing, Swanson is hoping her success will continue and that she will move on to State and even National competition. “I hope to go to State and qualify for the Rocky/Central Junior Championships in [Colorado} for a club team,” Swanson said.