’Cat ski teams start strong
The Presque Isle High School ski teams are off to good start this season, with a well-balanced core of upper and underclassmen for both the alpine and Nordic teams.
Coach Scott Smith heads up the alpine teams, which are led by junior Alyssa Sweeney for the girls and senior Chris Carroll, junior Bryce Smith and sophomores Nick Bartlett and John Saucier for the boys.
The first three meets have been successful ones, with the Wildcat boys finishing only behind Fort Kent among County schools.
“We are improving each and every week, and I am confident we will win one soon,” said the coach. “I have been impressed with the whole team and how hard they work to improve. The younger skiers are making great strides in practice.”
Smith believes the team can finish strong this season, with the skills to compete for a top-five spot when it comes to the state meet. “We have the skills … so I challenge the athletes to work toward their personal ski goals, and when they do, wins will follow.”
Rounding out the girls alpine roster are sophomore Lydia Patterson and freshman Bailey Roderick. The other boys on the squad are senior Josh Freeman; juniors Sam Gray and Mike Mahon; and freshman Chandler Paradis.
The Nordic teams are coached by Von Perry, who brings his leadership to a team with plenty of talent and experience. Emily Colligan leads the girls, finishing well in the county meets as well as bringing out the best in her teammates during races and practices. On the boys’ side, Noah Rossignol has given the team the spark they need, having won a recent classic race in Presque Isle and owning multiple top-five finishes in the county meets. The season for the teams as a whole has also been successful, with both teams having top three finishes in county meets.
The outlook for the season is a positive one for the Nordic Wildcats.
“Everything has been going better than expected; they have been getting stronger each week. Five team members are first-year skiers and they all have improved their times,” Perry said. With that optimism for the future, Perry envisions a successful run at the upcoming county and state championships, as he hopes to have top-10 finishers at both meets.
Rounding out the Nordic roster for the girls are juniors Mandy Graham, Alisa Brewer and Kerrigan LaBlanc; sophomore Tori Koch; and freshman Izzy Jackson. The boys are comprised of seniors Wesley Thibault and John Freeman; juniors Gannon Therrien and Gray; sophomores Bartlett and Saucier; and freshmen Max Bartley and Dustin Alward.
