Jenkin the best in Section II
Having an offseason in which he couldn’t train with his team didn’t slow Lucas Jenkin down at all. He won every Section II race, including his third-straight sectional championship, to end his high school career on a high note.
“I think with Lucas there’s really no secret other than the fact that he just skis an awful lot,” Queensbury coach Paul Allison said.
Jenkin had been skiing most of his life even before he joined the Spartans. In his freshman campaign, he finished sixth in sectionals and 22nd in states. From there, he flew up the ranks, finishing first in sectionals every year since and coming in eighth (2019) and fourth (2020) at the state championships. The 2021 state meet was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite his strong base, Jenkin worked hard in high school to develop his skills.
“Watching him as a freshman, he already had quite a bit of ski experience, but like most freshmen coming in he was smaller, still had a lot of growing to do,” Allison said.
In the early years, Jenkin worked on building his strength and stamina, then fine-tuned his technique as he got older.
In this offseason, unable to do his normal training because of the pandemic, Jenkin focused on cardio and strength workouts. “Having fun with it instead of just making it a chore” helped keep him motivated, he said.
“With Lucas, another thing is that he’s a great teammate. He’s very loyal to the team, he’s always there, reliable,” Allison said.
Although Jenkin is on the quiet side, Allison said, he leads by example and is fun to be around.
Jenkin said he sees his role on the team as being a positive influence who helps his teammates learn the ropes and stick with the sport. He injects some fun into long workouts to break up the monotony.
“There’s a few jumps back there (on the Mayfield course), so sometimes we’ll have fun jumping and doing tricks,” he said.
Jenkin isn’t sure where he’s going to college yet, but he wants skiing to be part of his future, whether that’s on a varsity or club team.
“He’s been a great figure to have around for the team and I will miss him,” Allison said.
First team
A Ben Jenkin, Fr., Queensbury: Regularly finished in the top three throughout the season and had two second-place performances, including one at sectionals, just 1 minute, 23 seconds behind older brother Lucas.
A Sam Rowley, Sr., Queensbury: Moves to the first team from last year’s second team after spending the season as a top-four regular, including a fourth-place finish at sectionals, in his last season for the dominant Spartans.
A Philip Matthews, Jr., Shenendehowa: Matthews improved to be a consistent top skier this year, moving from 11th place at last year’s sectionals to third place this year, less than a minute behind Ben Jenkin.
A Lucas Jenkin, Sr., Queensbury: Three-time sectional champion was undefeated this season even after an irregular offseason and a training schedule altered due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Second team
A Liam Rodewald, Sr., Queensbury
A Braydon Jourden, Jr., Mayfield A Clayton Schmale, Sr., Johnsburg
A Brice Williams, So., Mayfield
Coach of the Year
A Steve Besler, Saratoga Springs: Improved the Blue Streaks from sixth at sectionals last year to a second-place tie this year to cap a competitive season that saw them constantly breathing down Queensbury’s neck in most races.