When asked about his outlook on the 2026 season, Varsity Skiing Head Coach Jeffrey Steinmann was upfront: expectations are high for his group. Talented athletes on both the boys and girls sides are expected to take steps forward from one year ago and propel the Garnets to league success.
“We have several athletes returning this season and have a ton of new faces coming out for the team as well,” Steinmann told MyRye.com before the season. “It’s a little early to tell where we stack up in the league. With that said, we have some high expectations of our veterans.”
Sophomore Emma Stark, senior captain Kira Woolsey, and senior Tori Hobbins all made the Sectional championship race last year and are looking to make it back once again one year later. Boys Carsten Steinmann (senior captain), Jack Eckerson (senior captain), and Connor Swayne (freshman) are aiming to do the same. The championship race is in February at Hunter Mountain.
However, head coach Steinmann does not think the sectional title race is the ultimate goal for those six skiers. “With the consistent improvements year over year we think all of these athletes have the potential to get to the State Championships,” he told MyRye.com.
Behind the core group, Steinmann expects serious contributions from seniors Reid Thigpen, Nate Bertisch, and co-captain Margaret Derman. These veterans “all skied well in the back half of last season and expectations are high for each one make the postseason,” according to Steinmann.
The Garnets have their first race tomorrow, December 2, indoors at Big Snow American Dream. The race kicks off a season busier with practices than games, ultimately leading up to the Sectional championship in February and perhaps even the State championship, qualification permitting.
