U18

U18/21/PG - Birth Year: 2008 or earlier

Coaching Staff

Men's Head Coach: Taber Engelken | tengelken@mmsca.org | 802-999-0888

Women’s Head Coach: Jillian Barile | jbarile@mmsca.org | 518-637-7374

FIS Coach: Josh Hanna

FIS Coach: Connor Kelly

General Training Schedule

Monday: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on snow

Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on snow

Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on snow

Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on snow

Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on snow

Saturday: Off

Sunday: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on snow

*In-season on-snow training begins Tuesday, November 9, 2024.

**Training schedule will be shared via email by head coaches.

Communication Channels

The weekly schedule will be sent eery Monday via email for athletes, parents, and coaches. This will include training and races for the week. Day-to-day schedule or change of schedule due to weather, training venue changes, etc. will be sent via group text message to athletes and coaches only.

*Note on this subject: Parents and student-athletes can reach out anytime to your coaches with any questions you may have. With that in mind, please be aware of the sensitive times, before 7:00 am or after 7:00 pm.

Race-to-Training Ratio

At the U19/PG age, athletes can expect 30-50 starts in a season. Each athlete will have a schedule specific to him/her based on goals, ability, and disciplines they are competing in. These races will vary from USSA races to various FIS levels (FIS open, Development, Eastern Cups, EISA Carnivals, and NorAms). In accordance with USSA Long-Term Athlete Development, the race to training ratio for our athletes is ideally 1 : 3 or 4.

To compete in a FIS race, athletes should have below 120 USSA points.

While there is an increase in races at the U19 level, there is still an emphasis on Long Term Athlete Development. Therefore, athletes will compete in races that will enhance their development as a ski racer. In the event that there are multiple races available on a given day, the coaches will consider the athlete’s health, performance, academics, and goals in deciding what race will benefit each athlete the most.

The Race Season Schedule

The race schedule will be consistent with each athlete’s goals and training volume. There is a master calendar on that includes all available races. However, the final FIS schedule for each athlete will be determined within 1-2 weeks prior to the race, when the race list is finalized. The coaches will have weekly communication with athletes and parents forecasting the upcoming race schedule, and what is likely to happen 2-3 weeks in advance.

Race Travel Expense

Once the coaches make the final arrangements and reservations, we will communicate via email to parents and athletes the trip expense so you can keep track of it and understand the charges on your card.

Expectations

Physical Fitness

All U19/PG athletes are expected to be following the workout regimen 5+ days a week. By adhering to the program, the athlete will be less likely to sustain injuries, will recover quicker through the season, and will show quicker improvements on the hill. Putting in adequate work during the off-season will benefit our athlete’s tremendously when training and competing on-snow.

Training

U19/PG athletes are competing at a very high level. All athletes should come to training prepared as they would be for a race. Training in a race suit, wearing a back protector, and having tuned skis are all mandatory policies that are to be followed daily.

Leadership

U19/PG athletes are also expected to be the leaders for the younger athletes of MMA. Leading by example not only enhances the culture of our organization, it also enables our athletes to take individual pride and ownership in their mindset, lifestyle choices, and overall development as young adults.

Other Expectations

To respect and promote MMA’s code of conduct that MMA.
To be prepared and on time for your training, physically, and mentally. Your skis, your mind, and your body should be race ready every day.
To be a teammate and support those that may need help.
To be respectful and appropriate to your teammates, coaches, and the community you are a part of.
To be honest and communicate with your coaches and parents if you feel overwhelmed or you fall behind schedule.
To adhere to the zero-tolerance policy of any form of substance abuse.