From March first, to March 11, Orono students Mac Bendicson (grade 10) and Rosie Hust (grade eight) competed in the U16 Junior Championships in alpine skiing, at Beaver Creek, Colo.  This event was just the end of a long journey though.  Bendicson and Hust both said that they practiced around four times a week, and Hust added, “It was a big commitment, especially having to go to high school alpine practice on top of the ones to train for the Junior Champs, but it all paid off in the end.”

To qualify for the event, Hust and Bendickson both had to finish in the top 45 overall at the qualifying race which took place in Marquette, Mich. in February.  Approximately 90 athletes competed in the fields for both boys and girls up in Marquette.  The competitors for the qualifying event came from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Missouri.  These states make up the Central Division of the United States Skiing Association.  (USSA)

Bendickson said, “I was super excited to qualify and it was a great feeling to get the first event out of the way.”    After a one week of practice at home, the two set off for Beaver Creek to compete in the big event.  Both agreed that there were a lot of nerves going into the race in Beaver Creek because of how big of a deal the race was.

Both athletes had trouble in the speed events, Super G and Downhill, which is not uncommon for athletes from the midwest to have trouble in.  Their coach John Peterson said, “We just don’t have the resources to train speed events and the kids who live out west in the mountains can walk out their door and be in a spot where they can train speed in under an hour in most cases.”  Bendickson was unable to ski the Super G because of an equipment problem.

The Slalom day was where the two really shined though.  Bendickson had some trouble in the first run and did not finish the race, but on the upper part of the course for that run, took the 29th fastest time, out of 94 boys.  After the race Bendickson said, “I was going all out, this is a race where you can’t hold back, you just have to go for it.”

Hust had a slightly different outcome, and after a second place in the first run, had a bobble in the second run and she ended up in the third position overall.  Because of the podium finish, Hust will be competing in Nationals for her age group in Park City, Utah from the 29 of March through the fifth of April.  Hust said, “I am very excited about how I did, going to Nationals was my goal going into the event and it feels great to have accomplished that.”

Of the two skiers overall performances their coach, Peterson had this to say “I was really happy to see them do well, they both put in long hours to get where they are now, and I hope that they continue to succeed and work hard for next year.”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56_dzHSJ1L0

Article and video by Woody Hust

Hust is the Sports Editor for The Spartan Speaks