MSA Alumni Ian Wolff named to ECSC ALL-MACCONNELL DIVISION TEAM

Mosenthal and Phaneuf Headline All-MacConnell Team 

(February 8, 2012) - Brown University’s Kia Mosenthal and Jean-Philippe Phaneuf of Clarkson University have both been named ECSC MacConnell Division Skier of the Year for their first place finishes in the overall ECSC MacConnell Division individual standings for the men and women, respectively. Skiing consistently all season, Kia Mosenthal of Brown University finished every race in the top-four, including five slalom victories and one runner-up performance in the final giant slalom of the season.  Mosenthal earned 680 points throughout the season to easily claim the women’s ECSC MacConnell Division crown.  Smith College’s Emma Peck Coffin, winner of the season’s final three giant slalom events, posted 562 points for second place overall in the division.  Coffin earned two other podium results and finished no worse than tenth during the season.  St. Anselm College’s Caitlin Forbes rounded out the top-three with 560 points.  Forbes skied to six podium finishes, including one victory.  Shannon Bloom from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst picked up the remaining individual victory during the 2012 campaign.  Bloom finished the regular season ranked sixth with 398 points. Jean-Philippe Phaneuf of Clarkson University accumulated eight top-three finishes during the season, including four victories and three runner-up results, to earn the top spot in the ECSC MacConnell Division individual standings with 700 points.  Phaneuf was followed by teammate Cedrik Proteau-Dubois, who completed the season with 630 points, as he posted three victories and four additional podium results.  Patrick Burke of Castleton State College captured one win and two second-place finishes to help earn himself a third place overall finish in the division with 395 points.  Clarkson’s David Simon, winner two slalom events, finished fourth with 351 points. Clarkson earned the most representation on the ECSC All-MacConnell Division Team with five men and two women, while Brown added six women and Castleton contributed five men and one female.  St. Anselm split their four spots equally between men and women, while UMass added one woman and two men.  One male and one female from the University of Connecticut earned a spot on the list, while Smith and Babson each supplied one female. Connecticut’s Larry Gianatti was voted ECSC MacConnell Division Coach of the Year by his peers after piloting his men’s and women’s teams to USCSA Eastern Regional Championships berths.  The women will make their first-ever trip to regionals, while the men earned their second consecutive berth.

The University of Connecticut and Massachusetts Institute of Technology were both honored with the division’s Sportsmanship Award. 

Women’s ECSC All-MacConnell Division Team

ECSC MacConnell Division Skier of the Year:  Kia Mosenthal, Brown University

1st place:  Kia Mosenthal, Brown University

2nd place:  Emma Peck Coffin, Smith College

3rd place:  Caitlin Forbes, St. Anselm College

4th place:  Emma LeBlanc, Brown University

5th place:  Brigitta Park, University of Connecticut

6th place:  Shannon Bloom, University of Massachusetts-Amherst

7th place:  Nika Mosenthal, Brown University

8th place:  Maria Mastanduno, Brown University

9th place:  Sophie LeBlanc, Clarkson University

10th place (tie):  Catherine Stewart, Brown University

10th place (tie):  Monica Redente, St. Anselm College

12th place:  Jill Clevenger, Clarkson University

13th place:  Amanda Engelhardt, Brown University

14th place:  Michelle Podnecky, Castleton State College

15th place:  Franny Robertson, Babson College

Men’s ECSC All-MacConnell Division Team

ECSC MacConnell Division Skier of the Year:  Jean-Philippe Phaneuf, Clarkson University

1st place:  Jean-Philippe Phaneuf, Clarkson University

2nd place:  Cedrik Proteau-Dubois, Clarkson University

3rd place:  Patrick Burke, Castleton State College

4th place:  David Simon, Clarkson University

5th place:  Connor O’Brien, Castleton State College

6th place:  Drew O’Connor, University of Massachusetts-Amherst

7th place:  Steven Zotter, Castleton State College

8th place:  Ian Wolfe, University of Connecticut

9th place:  Robert Burke, Castleton State College

10th place:  William O’Connor, Clarkson University

11th place:  Ben Hannah, Castleton State College

12th place:  Christian Perryman, Clarkson University

13th place:  Benjamin Roy, St. Anselm College

14th place:  Connor Krell, University of Massachusetts-Amherst

15th place:  Justin Redente, St. Anselm College

ECSC MacConnell Division Coach of the Year:  Larry Gianatti, University of Connecticut

ECSC MacConnell Division Sportsmanship Award:  Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Connecticut

MSA alumni Ian Wolff and the UConn skiers making history!!!!

After a heavily anticipated weekend at Crotched Mountain, NH our skiers have made UConn skiing history. For the first time in the 42 years both men's and women's teams have qualified for a birth in USCSA's Eastern Regional Championships! The women, coming into the weekend, were holding on to a 4th seed in the division (top 5 teams qualify for regionals) with both Castleton College and Clarkson University trailing by two points. The men also held a 4th seed with a very thin margin of error, but both teams came to ski and were able to hold onto their position and clinch regional berths.

On top of our record setting team finishes we also had top 15 individual season finishers with freshman Ian Wolff in 8th and senior Brigitta Park in 5th. To top such as history-making weekend UConn was also co-receiver of the division's "Sportsmanship Award" shared with MIT, and the Husky's own Larry Gianatti was voted "Coach of the Year" by the Macconnell Division! UConn's men's and women's skiers could not be more proud and excited coming off such a rewarding weekend, and are beginning to prepare for their first ever side by side trip to the Regional Championships, being held this year in Sugarloaf, ME. We appreciate the amazing support we have received from friends, family,and alumni and hope that you will all continue to follow us up to Maine as we fight for a spot at the USCSA National Championships held in March!.

Greetings from California: MSA shreds Northstar

Thomas O'Hara

The MSA squad consisting of Marshall Lobell, Chris Abel, and Thomas O'Hara have been in Tahoe training for the Revolution Tour stop being held at the Northstar at Tahoe resort. Although the natural snow has yet to arrive in California the park crew had built a top of the line slope course and a perfect 22 foot halfpipe. The athletes have been getting some work done in the slopestyle course.

Marshall Lobell

                                                              

Tricks being thrown by the crew included switch backside 540's, frontside 720's, and even some 900's. The weather has been fantastic and perfect for training, in the 40's and sunny everyday. The athletes are looking forward to riding the halfpipe and getting their tricks dialed in there as well, competition days are thursday and friday. Keep a lookout for video, pics and results in the near future.

Chris Abel

Chris Abel

ANOTHER MSA SEASON HAS BEGUN!!

Another winter has started at Mount Snow Academy, and after mother nature blessed us with halloween and thanksgiving snow storms our season seemed to start with a bang. As always she has thrown us a curveball and handed us some unseasonable weather since then. The snow will come and we will be riding the snowboarding paradise that is Carinthia any day now. The MSA squad adapted to this situation by using off snow resources that they have at their disposal. The team has been working hard on overall fitness at our training facility strengthening their core, upper body and leg muscles, as well as working on balance and air awareness.

Athletes and Coaches were able to use the outdoor trampoline setup that is located at the MSA student residence. They were all able to work on spins, grabs, handplants, etc.. The forecast for the next couple of days looks promising for snowmaking, and the squad is optimistic that they will be riding soon. Mount Snow resort is home to one of the best snowmaking systems in the industry and we are lucky to be at their doorstep, once they open we will have plenty of freestyle terrain for our athletes to train on.

Check this blog frequently for updates on all happenings at the academy. We will be posting all sorts of photos, videos, and competition results throughout the 2011-2012 season.

Till next time......




*special thanks goes out to the ARATIK boardsports training company for supplying us with two of their jib training products. check them out at www.aratikusa.com.

MSA Snowboarder Mary Petit getting some coverage in an article about snowboard schools in the southern vermont area...

Blast from the past!!!! Classic MSA Edits

For your viewing pleasures here are some classic edits from the MSA squad...