Alex Penny '04

The ski team, one of the academy's most successful teams, performs off campus and without the support of fans. During their first race, the girls' team came in first place, and the boys came in second, missing the top spot by a mere two points. "We'd like to have both teams win the league. It happened two years ago, and we'd like to make it happen again," said Brennan Collins '03, co-captain along with Jamie Luckenbill '03.

Judging by their fine start, this looks like quite an attainable goal. Other returning seniors, all of whom are key to the boys' success this winter are Abbott Dodson, Eric Grossman, and Ben Shattuck. The girls are led by Captains Cammy Houser '03 and Lindsey Wall '03. Laura Giebink '03 and Emily Shea '03 consistently have top scores. The Eldred twins '05, Liz and Virginia, are "very solid skiers and just sweet girls," said Houser, and Cricket Whitton '04 also adds much to the team with her strong skiing.

What's the secret to their success? Some skiers might answer that the favorite Dan Bern song that blasts on the bus prior to every race pumps them up to win, while members of the girls' team might even credit it to "Joey tucking," but Houser put it succinctly, "We have so many talented skiers and have tons of fun up on the hill everyday. I'm so proud of the team."

Skiing has certainly proven to be a sport all about experience, but both teams have key newcomers this year. On the boys' team, two freshmen, Kyle Avery and Patrick Mahoney, add much depth to the team and have already shown the ability to lead in the future. For the girls', Lindsey MacNabb '04, who was formerly an opponent from Mohawk Regional High School, proved her incredible abilities by winning the first race. Mohawk Regional High School, Williston, and NMH are only a few of the schools Deerfield races and sees up on the hill everyday while training. The team also looks forward to going up the hill to see their coaches, Marc Dancer and C.J. Navins, who keep them both motivated and laughing.

Much time is dedicated to skiing. The team runs from classes to catch the bus each day and returns to a late dinner long after dark. Each day, they "brave the Mohawk Trail to Berkshire East," as Houser puts it. The regimented schedule of the team includes training three times a week, tuning skis on Mondays, and races on Wednesday that alternate Giant Slalom and Slalom.

Even though there are no weekend races, the ski team spends more time together than most teams do. As they travel to and from Berskshire East everyday, they, like all teams, build a bond that brings them together. "Grossman leads the jokes," comments Collins. Certain songs are played on the bus every year and seniors get quite hyped up about carrying on the tradition. Time spent on the bus is used mostly for "joking around, pretending to get work done, and getting to know everyone. It's a big part of the team," remarks Houser.

When asked about her hopes for this season, Houser said, "I just hope the girls have fun racing and training and remember good times spent together. And, of course we want to keep the title at home."