It was an historic season for Newburyport on the ski slopes.
The girls’ team finished with the most wins in program history at 9-3, which included two wins against reigning state champion Masconomet. Leading the way was senior captain Grace Chandler, who finished with 178 points and won all three slalom races that the team had in the North Shore Ski League. She was second in the league, and her seventh-place finish in the slalom at the State Championship Meet helped the Clippers enjoy their best ever placing at fourth overall.
But Chandler wasn’t alone in having a great year.
Junior captain Phoebe Whitcomb contributed 140 points to the team, and was the fastest Clipper in the giant slalom in three of four races. The All-Star finished ninth in the league, and would go on to place inside of the top-42 in both races at the State Championship Meet. Similarly, Emily Chandler contributed 141 points to the team. The sophomore was consistent all season long, and placed 13th at the North Shore Ski League Meet to qualify for States.
Moving on, Evie Tague enjoyed a breakout year that saw her chip in 134 points to the team, and finish 10th at the North Shore Ski League Meet to qualify for States. Once there, the sophomore placed inside of the top-39 in both races to help the Clippers finish fourth as a team. Finally, junior Elsie DeGrano (104 points) and freshman Meredith Boelke (94.5 points) were staples near the top of the lineup, and both will be back next year.
BOYS: Tague helps pace 11-win year
It just keeps getting better for the Newburyport boys ski team.
After going 10-2 a year ago to put together the program’s best ever season, the Clippers responded this winter with an 11-3 mark. Depth was a major factor why, but at the top, Thijs Tague continued to prove that he’s one of the best all around skiers in the state.
Tague, our reigning Daily News MVP, contributed a whopping 205 points to the team, and won two giant slalom races during the regular season. The junior would place second in the North Shore Ski League, then was one of only five athletes across the entire state to finish inside of the top-10 in both the slalom and giant slalom at the State Championship Meet.
Up next, Beckett Rathbone would finish with 184.5 points on the year, and was consistently a top-10 placer in every meet. The sophomore would finish 10th at the North Shore Ski League Meet, and would go on to have a solid day at the State Championship. Similarly, Reed Tracy was right behind with 177 total points, and was routinely a top-5 finishers in meets. The senior placed fourth at the league’s Interscholastic Meet, and was sixth overall for the entire year to be named a league All-Star.
Moving on, Tommy Lynch added 147 total points to the team this winter, and had multiple top-15 finishes to end ranked 18th out of 120 athletes. The senior captain was instrumental in helping the Clippers finishing second in the North Shore Ski League in each of the past two seasons. Then finally, junior Dante Chabot (118.5 points) and senior captain Tyler Chorebanian (103 points) enjoyed terrific years on the slopes.