You need only take a walk through the Freeport High School gym to learn the passion that this community has for its Alpine and Nordic ski programs. While there are banners for the more traditional sports, fans quickly see a legacy of commitment to ski racing in the decades of banners reflecting championships earned by this small high school and its athletes.

In recent years, the Alpine and Nordic boys won the Alpine/Nordic Combined in Class C in 2011 and the girls took second place, the Alpine and Nordic boys took second place in the Combined Alpine/Nordic Class C in 2012, Alpine girls won the Alpine Combined in 2012, the Alpine and Nordic girls won the Combined Alpine/Nordic Class C in 2012 and 2013, the Alpine boys took second in Combined Alpine, and the Alpine and Nordic boys took second place in the Combined Alpine/Nordic Class C in 2013. Also, the Nordic girls took second place in the Nordic Combined Class C in 2014, the Nordic boys took third place in Nordic Combined in 2014, Alpine boys took second place in Combined Alpine, and the Alpine and Nordic boys took second place in the Combined Alpine/Nordic in Class B in 2014.

This year’s athletes were no exception to this standard of excellence and dedication. Having won the Western Maine Conference on Feb. 10 at Shawnee Peak in Bridgton for the first time in Freeport history, the Alpine boys were under considerable pressure going into the Class B State Finals held at Big Rock Mountain in Mars Hill (Presque Isle). The Falcons performed valiantly on Feb., even though the two disciplines of slalom and giant slalom were held on the same day due to wind cancellation the day before.

Despite this pressure, the team prevailed with senior Blake Enrico taking third in Slalom and a third in Giant Slalom, and senior Ryder Bennell taking sixth in Slalom. The rest of the team including senior Caleb Abbott, freshman Griffin Agnese, junior Isaac Salisbury, and senior Charlie Zachau brought in scores that led to a strong runnerup finish in Combined Alpine/Nordic Class B.

“While I have been part of Freeport skiing for the past 10 years, this year’s group of senior skiers has been one of the most fun to watch develop in to a solid team,” said Freeport Alpine coach Jay Thomas. “I could count on them to work hard in practice and ski well at races. Having the boys team earn the Sportsmanship Award for Class B this year was a highlight as well.”

The Nordic team also excelled in both their Classic and Skating events, with the boys winning the Western Maine Conference title and taking second place in the Nordic Combined at the state meet. Sophomores Bennett Hight (sixth), Yacob Olins (seventh) and Kyle Dorsey (ninth), who along with their teammates ensured a second place in the Classic event.

In the Skating event, Hight took a third place and Olins finished in sixth. Together these and other team scores not only brought in a second-place Nordic finish, but also contributed significantly with the Alpine team in realizing a second place in the Combined Nordic Alpine Competition.

Likewise, the girls Alpine team was led by senior Wynne Cushing, who got an eighth place in the Slalom. Along with her teammates, Ashley Taylor and Kaia Williams, the Falcons earned a third-place showing in the Combined Alpine/Nordic competition.

On the Nordic side, Elizabeth Martin won the Western Maine Conference. At the state meet, the Nordic girls took second place in the Combined Nordic, with the senior Martin taking second and junior Lily Johnston taking third in the Classic. The girls pulled out a strong showing in the Skating event with Martin in second,

Johnston in fourth and Jasmine Olins in eighth.

Nordic head coach Dan Smith recalls, “I could not have hoped for a better first season as head coach. The athletes were willing to work incredibly hard in pursuit of their goal of a podium performance at States, but beyond that they proved to be an amazing group of people who consistently showed their good character and united into a team in the true sense of the word.

“Obviously we were led by strong performances by Lizzy, Lily J., Bennett, and Yacob, but anyone who saw Elizabeth Kolle give everything at the finish of the State classic race knows that this team was all heart and grit.”

Cushing and Enrico completed Feb. 22 in the Alpine qualifier for the Maine team. Enrico placed eighth and will compete in this upcoming weekend’s Eastern High School Championships at Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire. In Nordic, Martin, Olins, Hight, Olins and Kyle Dorsey are expected to compete as well.

The story of these dedicated and talented teams lies not only in the victories they have realized, but the grace with which they have done so. Racing together since middle school, the Alpine team has been consistently recognized for their excellence in sportsmanship. Winning the Greg Waite Award twice in middle school, this year’s Freeport Alpine team won the state competition sportsmanship award, which is decided by a vote of school coaches.

Scott Cushing, assistant coach and former middle school coach reflects, “It has been a great ride! For the past seven years I have seen a group of young athletes grow up from kids to young men and women who in a few months will be out of high school and off to new adventures. My focus with these athletes was always to provide them support and encouragement when it came to skiing and ski racing. I wanted to inspire them to be the best that that could be and take with them the love of the sport.

“Most important to me is the way that this ski team has represented themselves, their parents, and the community of Freeport in their camaraderie and sportsmanship. We should all be very proud. They have set the ‘bar’ at a very high mark for others to follow.”

The 2015 Freeport ski team consisted of: Alpine Boys — Seniors Blake Enrico, Ryder Bennell, Caleb Abbott, Charlie Zachau; junior Isaac Salisbury; and freshman Griffin Agnese. Alpine Girls — Seniors Wynne Cushing, Ashley Taylor; and freshman Kaia Williams; coaches Jay Thomas and Scott Cushing. Nordic Boys — Junior Nathan Smail, sophomores Bennett Hight, Yacob Olins, Kyle Dorsey, John Smail, Perrin Davidson. Nordic Girls — Seniors Elizabeth Martin, Jasmine Olins, Virginia Fullager, Elizabeth Kolle; junior Lily Johnston; freshman Maya Egan; coaches Dan Smith, Eli McCurdy, Joel Hinshaw and Doug Martin.