Our next state champion spotlight is junior Hadley Prewitt of Marshwood. She won the 2023 Class A Slalom title and was runner-up in the giant slalom. She also won the SMAA giant slalom title. We asked her about her successes and her favorite moments.
1. What were your preparations leading up to the state meet? I train on weekends with the Mount Washington Valley Ski Team (MWV) in New Hampshire. I also make sure to attend all high school dryland and on snow training to be sure I am in good shape for the season. I also enjoy weightlifting, so I make sure to go to they gym most days. 
2. How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet? I try to listen to music in the morning to calm myself down. I also make sure to visualize myself skiing the course as I inspect, after I inspect, and when getting ready at the start. I like to watch the racers in front of me leave the gate and see how they are running the course and try to determine what is the most efficient line. When I get closer to my start time, I try not to think about my nerves or results. I just try to enjoy being around my teammates, coaches, and competitors.
3. What was going through your mind at the starting gate? While standing in the start gate, I try to think about what I need to do to have a successful race, but when the starter announces 10 seconds, I try to take a few deep breaths and not think until I leave the gate.
4. What do you contribute your success to? I contribute my success to all of the training and workouts I do to stay in shape for the season. Pre-season I focus hard on lots of drills to make sure I have the correct technique to translate into my skiing. I also want to thank my high school coaches and club coaches for supporting me and helping me throughout the season. My dad is also a huge supporter of mine. He has taught me how to tune my skis, coached me for years, and always gives the best pep talks. He has had a huge impact on my skiing, and the improvements I have made throughout the years.
5. What are your goals/plans for next year? My top priority for next year is to have fun and enjoy my final year of racing. Of course, I would also like to advance my level of skiing and improve my results from this year.
6. What surprised you the most about this season? The weather was a constant surprise. I did not expect to have my first high school race of the season to be end of January/beginning of February. With the lack of snow at the beginning of the season, many of the races were cancelled/postponed, however, all of the snow arrived in March, towards the end of the season.
7. What moment/event will you remember the most from the season? Some of my favorite moments from this year happened at the start. Being at the start with all of the other teams, and getting to know everyone is so fun. I love cheering for everyone and giving everyone on my team a pep talk before their run.
8. What do you like most about Alpine Skiing? I love the community that alpine skiing creates. There are amazing people, coaches, and race workers at each race who are always upbeat and excited. I have gotten to know so many people who ski/race, and they are some of the most fun people I know. I always enjoy being around skiers.