December is the Month of COMMITMENT
Each December, sub-zero temperatures, early-season conditions, and shorter days approaching the solstice put JHSC student-athletes' commitment to the test. Coming off the month of FUN, during which we wrapped up dryland training, we dove in to an early Winter, with conditions improving rapidly and all programs on snow 1-2 weeks earlier than last season. For Nordic and Alpine athletes, an on-snow training week during the Thanksgiving Break was a boon compared to last season's low opener, which sent us traveling to find adequate conditions to get on snow!
For many JHSC teams, training 4-5 days/week since May, student-athletes and coaches have eagerly awaited the return of Winter: many of our 6th-12th grade athletes have attended summer camps and fall on-snow training in Oregon and Colorado in order to prepare for this season. Our younger athletes jump right in, coming off of fall sports and other activities or attending JHSC dryland training to get those snow legs back quickly!
The energy and excitement levels are HIGH at the Club right now: you can feel it in the Snow King foyer, the upstairs locker rooms, and the team meeting points as the athletes gather and get instructions for the day from their coaches. We anticipate great things from these kids and are daily fostering their commitment to sport, school, and life balance and helping them remain focused on pursuing and adjusting the goals they set in November all the way through to championship season in March. Let the skiing and riding begin!!
Please visit our CALENDAR OF EVENTS for a full list of competitions that we'll host in Jackson this season: we hope to see you out there rooting on these athletes!!
Congratulations to November's Value of the Month Award winners for FUN
Sally Decker, Alpine U10
"Sally showed up regularly for dryland, ready to work and with a great attitude. She was generous with her gymnastics knowledge, and very attentive in our safety discussions." --Matt Beauregard, U10 Head Coach
Gracie D'Amours, Alpine U12
"Gracie has the biggest smile when she comes to training, whether a dryland or on-snow training." --Neiko Razinger, U12 Head Coach
Neve Pruzan, Alpine U16
"Neve has been very consistent attending dryland this Fall, and she came always smiling and ready to work on drills. Anybody could see that she is having a lot of fun!" --Ned Lazarevic, U16 Head Coach
Noah Robertson, Freeride Progression Plus
"Noah had such a great attitude and was always engaged. His positive energy brought fun to the workouts and games." -- Andy Lex, Freeride Program Director
Mylo Iguchi, Freeride Progression Plus
"Mylo was very excited to be at dryland and was always in a good mood to coaches and teammates. He always had fun with games and never screwed around during exercise drills." -- Andy Lex, Freeride Program Director
Ada Baker, Nordic Development
"Ada received the FUN award because her great attitude helps the whole team have more fun. Jumping, playing games, or crashing in the powder, Ada is always looking to have fun at Nordic practice." -- Rob Murphy, Head Devo Coach
Bowen Von Maur-Newcomb, Nordic Junior
"Bowen comes out and is always looking at things in a way that inspires fun, enjoyment, and authenticity in the way he views the situation. He has a really unique perspective and doesn't wait passively. He goes and does things with passion and vigor. It's contagious." --George Cartwright, Juniors Head Coach
Hayden Poduska, Nordic Comp
"Hayden got an awesome mullet at Thanksgiving Camp and was a super positive influence on the other athletes!" --Will Wicherski, Prep/Comp Head Coach and Nordic Program Director
Matt Beauregard: U10 Alpine Coach
Currently a US Ski & Snowboard Level 200 coach, Matt began coaching JHSC Alpine U12s in 2017. Now entering his 6th season, and his 3rd as U10 Head Coach, he knows from professional and personal experience the importance of ski racing foundations for this young age group: Matt began his own career as a U10 athlete in the Sugarloaf/Carrabassett Valley Academy Weekend Alpine Program. As a student at Stratton Middle School, he enjoyed snow days at the local resort and found a love for skiing in all conditions on a cold, often icy, north-facing mountain—sounds like he was destined to coach on Snow King!
As a student at Carrabassett Valley Academy, he competed in USSA and FIS level racing before graduating to attend the University of Maine. As a student-athlete, he raced for four years on the USCSA circuit while pursuing a B.S. in Business Finance and a minor in French Language Studies. As a senior at the University of Maine in 2017, he became enthralled by stories of Jackson Hole’s legendary 700-inch winter and made his way out West. He began coaching for JHSC Alpine U12s that fall and hasn’t looked back since.
While a student at the University of Maine, Matt got involved in some small scale forestry work: what started as some side logging work developed into a hobby—log building—that he began to work on with his dad (who, by the way, is the head U16 coach at Carabassett Valley Academy!). During his college years, Matt enjoyed this work with his Dad, and in 2015, he began working professionally in logging. In his post-college years, Matt and his dad have grown their work into a budding business: Beauregard Builders (website coming soon - watch for it!). One of Matt’s coolest creations to date are hand-built log saunas, which he began building during the summers in Maine but will build on-site wherever a customer orders. During the Winter season, when he is not coaching skiing, Matt also works as a carpenter in Jackson. Check out some of the photos of his work and ask him about it next time you see him off the hill!
Perhaps what I find most wonderful about Matt’s approach to working with JHSC U10s is his coaching philosophy: “Don’t just teach them to ski, teach them to fly.” Those of you who know Matt know how well he balances fostering enthusiasm for skiing with his ability to model and instill social skills, respect for others, and the importance of team camaraderie among these kids. Read the JHSC INSTAGRAM post for more photos of Matt's logging and carpentry work!
Alumni Spotlight
Click HERE to read about Mariah Bredal, JHSC Nordic Alum who now resides in Bozeman and skis for the Bozeman Ski Foundation Pro Team.
Important SAS Dates/Events:
Clubwide Eligibility Check (G6-12): December 7
Clubwide Avalanche Education Night: December 13, 5:30-7 PM
