Vikings lifted by All State skiers
VERNON. The girls team finishes third in Giant Slalom, third in Slalom and third overall in the New Jersey Interscholastic Ski Racing Association’s States competition.
Vernon /
| 05 Mar 2023 | 01:23
Members of the Vernon Township High School girls ski team, from left, are junior Amanda Rhode, freshman Juliette Jalbert, senior Keela McElduff, sophomore Kelsey Callahan, and juniors Gabi and Grace Tavares. (Photos provided)
Members of the Vernon Township High School boys ski team, from left, are senior Morgan Freifelder, junior Tyler Heykoop, senior Ian Rovner, junior Nick Decker and sophomore Timothy Pallis.
While most of the attention has been focused on state tournaments in basketball and wrestling, one of the most exhilarating, intense and thrill-a-second high school sports has been left out in the cold: skiing.
Vernon Township High School’s program is top locally and statewide.
“High school ski racing is a team sport,” said head coach Roger Foco, explaining that each school fields a team of six skiers and takes the four fastest times.
“Racing is unpredictable and crashes and bobbles happen. So those supporting skiers are often very important if the team has high hopes for the season.
“Skiers have to overcome failure multiple times a year and mentally prepare for the next practice/event. Ski team members learn perseverance, ownership of actions, and responsibility of preparation and gear,” he added.
The Vernon ski team has been led by captains Grace Tavares and Gabi Tavares for the girls team and Morgan Freifelder for the boys team. Gabi and Grace are juniors and Morgan is a senior.
“The captains on the team help with keeping skiers positive and show support when practice or race runs don’t go as planned,’’ Foco said. “They also make additional suggestions to assist in improving teammates’ ability.
“Gabi and Grace have been skiing and racing at Mountain Creek since they could walk and talk. Along with years of experience, they bring a hard-work ethic, support and leadership for the other girls on the team.
“Morgan has been a key component on the boys team for the past few years and has shown that he can work well with others, assist in practice and has a contagious love for skiing.’’
The accomplishments of several members of the team speak volumes.
Kelsey Callahan, Gabi and Grace are All State skiers as are Morgan and Tyler Heykoop.
The girls team finished third in Giant Slalom, third in Slalom and third overall in the New Jersey Interscholastic Ski Racing Association’s (NJISRA) States competition Feb. 24 and 27.
“Kelsey Callahan is an amazing skier and is capable of posting some of the fastest times in the state,’’ Foco said. “Along with Gabi and Grace, Kelsey leads the girls team with fast runs that make the team tough to beat.”
The warm weather this winter posed an additional challenge for the team, Foco noted. “... the student athletes showed their resolve by getting out there almost every day and working with what they had.’’