STREAKING SUCCESS ON THE SLOPES
Saratoga finds success in Section II Alpine Skiing season
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY » Despite swirling questions and concerns Section II was able to successfully put on a Alpine Skiing season this past winter.
“It was furious and insanity,” said Section II Coordinator and Saratoga Head Coach Megan Beck. “There were definitely a lot of tough decisions. With a lot of flexibility and teamwork we were able to get it done.”
Beck worked alongside Section II coaches to figure out how a season would be put on safely and efficiently amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The coaches worked alongside me to come up with ideas and how to make this work,” said Beck. “We are blessed that we all work well during our season anyway. We already have a great working relationship so we were able to build off of that and really make some decisions and make this season happen for these kids.”
Section II and Beck had to follow the US Ski and Snowboard guidelines to find a way to hold a season for the section and give high school skiers a chance to compete.
“We decided that if it was only going to be a hundred kid
field let’s separate the genders so we would do boy’s one night and girl’s another,” said Beck. “We had to move a few races because we did not feel like the COVID-19 standards were appropriate at some mountains so we had to move some stuff around.”
Beck added that the positive of the changes to the season are they now have a contingency plan to follow if something were to happen that would cause an issue in the future.
“The bright side is the kids did not miss a race this year,” said Beck. “They got to do two races in one night so we were able to preserve them getting at least six races by separating the genders, which worked well.”
“I am taking in that we got a successful season under our belt knowing that we can always rely on this season and know what we did and how we made it work and always go back to that. Thank goodness our ski coaches are so flexible and that it wouldn’t be that hard for us to go back to normal and it wouldn’t be hard for us to go back to another season like this, if we have to.”
Along with Section II, Saratoga Springs High School was also able to find success. Saratoga’s Matthew Moeckel claimed the boy’s top spot while Avery Waters claimed the girl’s top spot. The Saratoga boy’s team ultimately claimed the Section II title while the girl’s were runner up in all of Section II.
“They are such a deep team. We were laughing because Tyler Munter didn’t finish the first run. Had he finished I would have probably packed that top ten with five of my kids,” said Beck. “I’ve been blessed for a very long time for having a very talented team and I am so thankful for that. They are so great.”
Moeckel led the boys thanks to his love for the sport and passion for ski racing.
“Matt had a humongous hand in that win,” said Beck on Moeckels influence on the Section II title for Saratoga. “Matt has really come alive the past two years. He really loves being there. He eats, sleeps, and breathes ski racing.”
Along with Moeckel, Munter was huge for the team alongside Nate Rodriguez and Lucas Dougherty who each placed in the top ten in the sectional tournament back on February 10.
On the girl’s side, Beck and the Blue Streaks got a chance to watch and work with Avery Waters who isn’t normally on the Saratoga roster in the winter.
“Avery is a unicorn. She skied with us this year because of COVID. In a normal year she probably wouldn’t have skied with us. She used to do winter term. She would leave Saratoga and go to the Northwood School for the winter, ski up there, and come back in the spring,”” said Beck. “But, because there wasn’t any travel and she is committed to play lacrosse she decided to ski high school this year.”
Waters addition to the Saratoga club was felt through more than just her time on the mountain and her sheer ability. Waters became a mentor and teacher for several people on the team.
“They had a blast with her. They thought it was great she was there and had so much fun with her,” said Beck. “It’s so nice. She’ll come back up to the top and talk to the girls and say if something felt funny and she will share her knowledge with the kids during race day and training, which is awesome.”
“The kids were excited to compete. When our season started we were really one of the only sports that was able to go,” said Beck. “The fact that they knew they were able to compete and have some semblance of a season was really exciting for them.”
Beck added that the season was tough for Saratoga because this was the year they potentially could have won a New York State title.
“Knowing that wasn’t going to be a possibility because it was taken away was also kind of a bummer,” said Beck. “It was devastating for me from day one when I found out it was cancelled. It was a tough conversation to turn and say, ‘Hey, this isn’t going to happen,’ but at the same time, at least we have a season.”
At the end of the day, Saratoga’s success, according to Beck, came from their pur joy for the sport and the fun they brought to the mountain every day, regardless of the predicament.
“They enjoy being there, it’s fun for them. A lot of them race USSA and high school is just fun for them, which makes it fun for us,” said Beck. “They are just great kids and a blast to have. They are so much fun to be with and have great personalities.”
Beck will always have a special spot with the 20202021 Saratoga team. The group that endeavored and persevered through a pandemic to win a Section II title and potentially could have been the best team in New York State.
“Knowing that they came through a lot of adversity and things weren’t easy for them,” said Beck. “And knowing what they were going through at home and how remote learning wasn’t easy for them and succeed so much and be so successful is definitely going to hold a special spot with me.”