Milton’s Ski Teams Win NEPSACs Championships

Both the boys’ and girls’ varsity ski teams emerged victorious in the Class B NEPSAC Alpine Skiing Championship held in February 2017 on Okemo Mountain in Vermont. The last time a Milton team won the NEPSACs was 2002, when both teams swept the championships.

The teams competed in the Slalom and Giant Slalom (GS) events. Chris Matthews ’17, captain of the boys’ team, said, “I think a change in mindset definitely lent itself to our performance at NEPSACs.” Girls’ team captain Emily Bell ’17 praised the depth on both the boys’ and girls’ teams that was crucial to the victory. “The talent runs really far down our roster,” she said.

All five of the skiers scoring points on the girls’ team finished in the top 15, including Lydia Hill ’17, Katarina Stephan ’19, Sophie Kylander ’18 and Shayla Kelley ’19. Lydia finished first in Slalom and second in GS; Katarina finished second in Slalom and fifth in GS; Sophie finished 15th in Slalom; and Shayla finished 11th for GS. The boys’ team accomplished a similar feat, with all four of their scorers finishing in the top 20. Matt Ryan ’20 finished second in both Slalom and GS; Beck Kendig ’20 finished eighth in both Slalom and GS; Ben Pratt ’19 finished 18th in Slalom; and Chuck Leonetti ’19 finished 20th in GS.

Everyone “watches each other’s races and we all root for each other, so it’s a really nice support system. Winning both was so exciting, and we all got to celebrate together,” said Emily.