Maine High School Skiing

State Champion Spotlight-Emma Pelletier

Details: Published: Monday, 23 March 2020 06:47

Our next Nordic state champion spotlight is Emma Pelletier of Madawaska. Emma was the 2020 Class C Freestyle state champion. She also won the Emma Aroostook title. We asked her about her preparations and her favorite thing about Nordic skiing.

1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?

I focused more on preparing mentally for the meet. I knew that it would not only take my physical strength but take my mental strength to help me reach my goal. In my mind, I would go through the turns and hills, parts of the trails that I knew I would need the most motivation for. I definitely try to prepare physically by eating the right foods, hydrating and getting the appropriate amount of sleep so that I can be ready for races.

2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?

I try to block out the pressure and emotions because there can be so many variables that can affect the race. I really try to just focus on what I need to do to keep my attention on what's important. I also try to keep my focus on the goal. It is important to keep my focus on the race and limit distractions. I focus on skiing my own race.

3) What was going through your mind at the starting gate?

State Champion Spotlight--Maddie Marston

Details: Published: Friday, 20 March 2020 06:46

We now spotlight state champion Maddie Marston of Yarmouth. Maddie won the Class B classical, freestyle, and the pursuit. Her Yarmouth team also won maddieIMG 7359 the Class B Nordic state title. We asked her about the success and her thoughts at the starting line. (RVG Photo)

1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?

Each race I do motivates me to improve for the next race. I did an Eastern Cup sprint two days before the state meet which helped put me in a competitive mindset. Our team had also done uphill double pole interval training the week before which was very helpful to prepare for the uphills at Titcomb.

2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?

I try to remain calm and focused. I mostly picture myself skiing the course when I am at the start. I think about a certain part of the course that I found challenging during the course preview to reassure myself that it is possible.

3) What was going through your mind at the starting gate?

For the classic race, I knew I had to set myself up well for the pursuit, so in my mind I was telling myself to go all out. The skate race was definitely a mental battle because I was all alone, so at the starting gate I imagined there was someone who started 30 seconds ahead of me and was just around every corner.

4) What do you contribute your success to?

State Champion Spotlight--Miguel Sanclemente

Details: Published: Thursday, 19 March 2020 06:46

We next spotight state champion Miguel Sanclemente of Fort Kent. Miguel won the 2020 Class C freestyle and the pursuit. We asked him about his skipic preparations and his goals for next season.

1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
This year was different for me as I was sick leading up to the event. Sleep, naps, more sleep and vitamin C was key. Also the usual pasta and wax. Oh and did I mention more sleep?
2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
I just try not to overthink it, get a good warm up in, and trust the summer training. Some nerves are good but getting super nervous can be bad.
3) What was going through your mind at the starting gate?

State Champion Spotlight--Liam Niles

Details: Published: Wednesday, 18 March 2020 07:39

We now spotlight Liam Niles of Portland. Liam was the 2020 Class A Classical and Pursuit State Champion. We asked him about what surprised him Boy Winners 2 1 this season and his favorite thing about skiing.

1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?

Leading up to states I focused on making sure my body felt fit and well rested. I stretched a lot and did less intense training than usual so that my body was at its full potential.

2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?

In my mind leading up to states my main competition would be my homie and teammate, William Jordan. I had been catching up to William throughout the season but up until states he had pretty handily beaten me in most skate races. My goal was to do as well as I could in the classic race and hopefully push hard enough in the skate to put up a competitive result that would be hard for William to beat. My physical preparations and continual improvement over the season gave me confidence and helped me trust in my body during the race.

3) What was going through your mind at the starting gate?

Not much was going through my mind right before the race. I was focused on how my body felt and did everything I could to make myself feel properly warm.

4) You won the classical and the pursuit, what do you contribute your success to?

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State Champion Spotlight-Killian Lathrop

Details: Published: Tuesday, 17 March 2020 06:53

We now spotlight state champion Killian Lathrop of Cape Elizabeth. Killian was the 2020 Class B Giant Slalom state champion. He also won several Killian 1 meets during the season. We asked him about the success and his plans for next year after high school.

1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?

Preparing for the state meet was no different than any other race. I trained up at Sugarloaf with my CVA weekend program team the day before. Played some basketball with my brothers Tiernan and Keegan and my buddy AJ Noyes, and just tried to eat well and hydrate. The day of the race I stretched before my run, ate a lot of Lucky Charms, and did some free ski laps in the powder.

2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?

I tried to forget about what I was doing and just fool around with my friends and go for some free ski runs. I would try to time it right so I could show up to my run a little late and get right in the start gate.

3) What was going through your mind at the starting gate?