This year the WUHS boys’ nordic team is skiing their way towards their 3rd straight state championship despite the lack of snow. The girls’ team also has a good shot at first or second in their division for the first time in years.
The nordic team had a challenging start with a lack of snow that has forced them to practice at the base of Suicide Six rather than their normal location on the Woodstock Golf Course. Despite this challenge, the team has done well in the few meets they have had. On January 31, the boys’ team won the first Marble Valley League final led by seniors Jordan Fields, Jeff Tucker, and Josh Bassette coming in first, second, and third overall. The girls’ team also skied strong coming in second place led by senior Stephanie Ambrose and junior Elizabeth Bassette who tied for 7th place.
“The lack of snow has allowed us to focus primarily on technique,” explains veteran sophomore Anna Ramsey. “I believe that even with our small loop at Suicide Six as our track, we have still been just as successful as when we’ve had a whole mountain to train on.”
This bring-it-on attitude has not only paved the way for a successful nordic season, but has fostered a supportive atmosphere that is conducive to team growth, not just individual improvement. “The people on the team have been very welcoming and encouraging...the moment that I snapped into my skis, I felt like I belonged,” says freshman newbie Jaym Henderson, one of many new members of the team. In fact, there are many freshman bolstering this year’s team with Zane Fields, Campbell Boswell, and Graham Melville joining the boys’ team after competing well in middle school and Kia Amiakiaee, Lindsey Stuntz, Celia Graham, and Jaym joining the girls’ team.
With about 30 team members (boys and girls combined) this is the largest team ever for Woodstock Nordic. Many of the new skiers have recently competed in their first races. However, the team also sports a number of veterans like boys’ team members Fields, Tucker, and Bassette who are all competing in additional Eastern Cup races in the hopes of qualifying for Junior Nationals to be held in Utah next month.
Fields, who participated in Junior Nationals in Minnesota last year says, “I love nordic. It’s all about intensity!” Fields credits a lot of his success to Coach Nick Mahood who shows the same level of dedication to all of his skiers. Each season Mahood asks team members to write down their goals for the season and supports each individual in achieving those goals. While the first four races of the season were cancelled for lack of snow, the team has had at least three racing opportunities so far with two more races scheduled prior to states, which will be held February 24 and 28.
All of the team members are looking forward to a busy few final weeks of the season. “It’s just the best sport!” Jeff Tucker emphasizes.

Although the weather caused the alpine ski team to delay its season, the icy courses and unfortunate lack of snow didn’t get in the way of their success as the girls’ team heads towards states in first place and the boys’ team has finished in the top three in the meets thus far.
Despite the individual nature of the sport, this hasn’t prevented the racers from acting as a team by cheering one another on and combining times to win races.
They started with dry land training before there was snow, but as soon as Suicide Six’s trails opened, the skiers were on the mountain preparing to dominate the race courses. Only one skier graduated last year and a slew of great freshmen were added to the group this season so they anticipated an excellent season and have been putting in the effort to achieve one.
The goals set early in the season have been reached. Both the girls and guys teams have worked hard to ski through the finish line in good time. The girl’s team has cross blocked their way to number one in every race so far, while the guys, not far behind, have been placing in the top three. There are two races left, one of which Woodstock is hosting, and the team plans on staying consistent. This has been their goal throughout the season, but it’s been difficult considering the varying conditions of the courses. They differ from mountain to mountain, but practicing at Suicide 6 with instruction from great coaches has helped prepare the skiers for flat, steep and icy trails.
The team consists of skiers with all different ability levels, but everyone has improved and continues to as the season progresses. The team hopes to continue their success at Districts and States. They would love to have support at the races. February 14 is districts at Okemo. The guys will be competing at Burke on March 5th at states and the girls on the 8th at Pico.