Cheshire Girls Building New Ski Team

January 4, 2010 by Greg Lederer

The Cheshire High School girls’ skiing program competed with an eye to the future at the 2009 State Championship. While the Rams haven’t qualified as a team since 2004, sophomores Susan Kostin (55.3) and Anna Frenzilli (63.51) were given the opportunity to race individually at Mount Southington. They were the top finishers throughout their first season and earned All-Class L Honorable Mention.
“It was a really good experience” Kostin recalled. “The best skiers from the state were there and it was just a learning experience.”
The future is now for the Rams. A deep graduating class vacated several varsity positions from a 4-8 season and Cheshire also lost two athletes to injuries. With no juniors on the roster, the example of eight seniors has been critical to bringing a young team together.
“I’m very excited for it,” stated Mariah McKechnie, a senior captain with Katharine Eddy. “We’ve only had a couple days of snow, but some girls do skiing on the weekend. I think we’ll be prepared.”
“They (captains) are wonderful gals,” added Cheshire Head Coach Toby Brimberg. “It’s too bad that Katharine can’t ski, but she will be at the races to encourage the girls.”
Eddy suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during her junior season of lacrosse. Freshman Kelsie Carlette, a standout for the Mt. Southington Racing team, was injured playing soccer last fall and will also miss the 2010 season.
I’m excited for the start of the new year. I think we’ll have a strong season with a lot of young people,” Eddy said. “I’ll definitely be going to all the races and giving suggestions to help organize the team.”
Cheshire has had recent success with newcomers. Eddy is the only skier to earn MVP and Rookie of the Year during the same season in 2008. One year later, Kostin (MVP) and Frenzilli (Rookie of the Year) received the awards. Freshmen Jenna Pogozelski and Ajelet Mor are United States Ski and Snowboard Association racers like Carlette and Kostin.
“It’s wonderful because they come in with seasoned racing skill. They know slalom, along with giant slalom racing,” stated Brimberg. “I’m excited to have them (Kostin, Frenzilli) both back. They are very steady.”
Kostin strives to crack the top 15 in every race and make Team Connecticut for the Eastern High School Championship, to be held March 12-14 at Gunstock in Gilford, New Hampshire. The top 24 boys and girls each qualify through a giant slalom and slalom shoot-outs.
“I didn’t do as good as I wanted to last year,” said Kostin, of the tryouts. “Hopefully, I’ll have a better week this time. I’ve made some major breakthroughs at the end of last year and this year.”
Building depth is a key factor. For a team to score, they need five racers to finish both of the runs down the slope. Scores are then combined for a total. Graduates Morgan Hirt, Lauren Chin, and Liora Mor were consistent varsity contributors for the program. Andrea Neri joined Hirt and Chin as captains last winter.
I’m very excited to be a leader. We have good freshmen this year and I hope we can make it to states since we came close last year,” said McKechnie. “I’ve been on the bottom varsity and want to get into the top.”
Megan Walton also returns varsity experience to the senior class. Her progression was recognized through 2009 Most Improved Skier.
“She went from JV (junior varsity) to the varsity team. She finished in the top 10 of the last couple races,” Brimberg explained.
Racers past and present are proud of the program’s family atmosphere. Kostin’s sister (Shannon) captained the 2007 Rams and Frenzilli’s brother (Jeff) led his teammates one season later. Sophomore Jesse Eddy is Katharine’s younger brother and senior Emily Selzer’s brother (Daniel) is a freshman racer this winter. Ajelet Mor is also following in Liora’s footsteps.
“It feels great because I knew a lot of the kids from when she (Shannon) was on the team,” said Kostin.
“It is a reinforcement of the positive experience that they want their brother and sisters to be a part of the program,” added Brimberg.
The girls are excited for Thursday’s opener at Mt. Southington. Cheshire faces Berlin, Fairfield, and Glastonbury, at 4:30 p.m.