2016/17 Ontario Ski Team and New Men’s Head Coach Announced

(May 19, 2016, Collingwood, Ontario):  Alpine Ontario Alpin is proud to introduce the 2016 – 2017 Ontario Ski Team (OST).  The OST is a high performance team representing the fastest group of alpine ski racers in Ontario, ages 16 and up, who are training year-round, in pursuit of earning a spot on the Canadian Alpine Ski Team.

The OST is a result-based team where athletes will be asked to perform to the best of their abilities at all times.  Alpine Ontario provides them with the best coaching support and programming available.  The men’s team will be led by the newly appointed Men’s Head Coach Cameron McKenzie and Assistant Coach Will Gyles.  The women’s team will continue to be headed up by Mike Necesanek, assisted by Jill Fujino.

Meet the Team:

2016-2017 MEN’S ONTARIO SKI TEAM

Returning athletes:

Jared Burks, Devil’s Glen Country Club

Jake Gougeon, The Georgian Peaks Club

Henry Luel, The Georgian Peaks Club

Corey McConville, Devil’s Glen Country Club

Jack Norton (Injury Status), Osler Bluff Ski Club

New athletes:

Griffin Copp, National Ski Academy / Craigleith Ski Club

Zachary Mayne, National Ski Academy

Cameron Dymond, Osler Bluff Ski Club

Hunter Watson, Camp Fortune Ski Club

 

2016-2017 WOMEN’S ONTARIO SKI TEAM

Returning athletes:

Samantha Boughner, Osler Bluff Ski Club

Emily Field, Devil’s Elbow Racing Club

Camryn Metzger, The Georgian Peaks Club

Emma Pownall (Injury Status), Devil’s Elbow Racing Club

Camille Vibert (Injury Status), The Georgian Peaks Club

New athletes:

Sierra Cadieux, National Ski Academy

Steffi Ralph, Craigleith Ski Club

Lauren Stackhouse, Craigleith Ski Club

Maddy Sullivan (Injury Status), The Georgian Peaks Club

 

Cameron McKenzie and Mike Necesanek will continue to build on the successful program set out by Tommy Eckfeldt over the past four years. Cameron has nearly a decade of experience coaching at the club, regional and PSO level. Most recently, Cameron has served as Men’s Assistant coach with the Ontario Ski Team for the past three seasons. Cameron’s time with the OST has afforded him the opportunity to work at some of the highest levels of competition in North America as well as work with and learn from elite level coaches and athletes.

As he transitions into the role of Men’s Head Coach, Cameron is looking forward to facing a new set of challenges and playing a key role in the development of the Ontario Ski Team and ski racing within Ontario as a whole. He is enthusiastic about getting back to work in the gym and on snow with a strong, young group of OST athletes.

“The 2016-2017 season looks to be another exciting one for the Ontario Ski Team.  Coming off a solid year with some great results including Paddy McConville’s 9 FIS Wins and Henry Luel’s U18 National Championship I am excited to see what this year’s team can do,” said Alpine Ontario Alpin Executive Director Scott Barrett.  “Although we’re seeing several of our athletes move on to NCAA Universities, I’m looking forward to seeing a very talented young group develop and improve and believe that under the guidance of Cam, Mike, Jill and Will they are bound for success!”

Alpine Ontario Alpin has to say goodbye and good luck to the following athletes who are moving on to pursue education and / or ski racing at the NCAA level:

Carter Armstrong – St. Lawrence University

Stephanie Currie – Dartmouth College

Fabian Denis – Currently deciding which school to attend

Karl Kuus – Plymouth State

Patrick McConville – University of Vermont

Max McVey – McMaster University Business

Jake Rosen – Currently deciding which school to attend

Scott Ward – Queen’s University Commerce

Emma Woodhouse – University of New Hampshire

“I joined the Ontario Ski Team in my third year FIS and have no regrets. I had an experience of a life time being able to ski and work with a group of athletes that are all trying to reach the same goal. The environment was amazing because everyone supported each other and wanted the best for each other,” said OST alum Carter Armstrong.  “I also had a fantastic coaching staff that helped me refine my technique. Thanks to my experience on the Ontario team, I now feel confident skiing NCAA next year for St. Lawrence University.”

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with this season’s OST.   I have known many of the retiring athletes for the past three or four years and will be sad to see them go,” said AOA Executive Director Scott Barrett.  “I wish them all the luck in the world as they move on to ski NCAA or pursue higher education here in Canada.”

About the Ontario Ski Team (OST)
The Ontario Ski Team represents the highest level of alpine ski racing in the province with athletes spending over 120 days on snow each year.  Commencing in May they travel to snow   in preparation for a 5-month competitive season that runs from late November through to the end of April. The Ontario Ski Team members work year round in an intensive conditioning program which combined with on-snow training and competition prepares them for the next step of competing at the National level.