We now begin spotlighting every individual state champion in slalom, giant slalom, classical, and freestyle. We asked the state champions some questions. We begin with Cape Elizabeth senior Keegan Lathrop. He was the 2024 Class B Slalom state champion. We asked him about his state meet preparations, his favorite moment from the season, and more.
1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
Last year I was distracted from skiing in my pursuit of playing college lacrosse. This year those distractions were behind me and I made it a point to keep the skis under my feet every weekend. My enthusiasm for skiing escalated when my brothers were home from college for Christmas break. As college athletes they hadn’t been allowed to ski in the past but this year they were given the green light and we made sure to rip around the mountain like the good old days.
2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
With it being my last year of racing, the pressure was significant knowing that all three of my brothers (Devon, Killian, and Tiernan) have been on top of the podium and I have not. I had to ignore those thoughts since the talent and success of several racers in Class B would likely only give me a tiny window of opportunity. My primary focus in training leading up to the state meet was to stay upright and hopefully put down a fast run to help Cape Elizabeth win the state meet.
3) What was going through your mind at the starting gate?
The 2024 Maine Nordic Team will be competing at the NENSA U16 Championships at Gore Mtn, NY March 8-10 and at the Eastern High School Nordic Championships at Holderness School, NH March 15-17. Here is an updated list of members of the 2024 Maine Nordic Teams: 2024 MAINE NORDIC TEAMS
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