The 2024-2025 Needham High School ski team, led by head coach Tom Guarente and assistant coach Burt Parker, wrapped up its most successful regular season in its 50-year history. The team, which includes both junior varsity and varsity athletes, competes in the Ski East League in gender-specific races for both team and individual standings. However, the program itself is co-ed, with male and female athletes training, traveling, and supporting each other both on and off the mountain. The rigorous training and competition schedule demands dedication, with racers braving subzero conditions and catching 5 a.m. weekend buses to Ragged Mountain in New Hampshire.
“The program continues to have a high turnout, with a total of 53 kids coming out to participate this season, with a good balance between boys and girls skiers,” Guuarente shared. The team’s captains, Zoe Ettinger, Ava Towvim, Alan Zaiger, Evan Bagg, Will Kence, and Jake MacNeil had all been team members for four years. Each brought leadership, racing experience, and exuberant spirit; all were great role models on and off the slopes. Zoe Ettinger and Jake MacNeil were awarded the season’s Ski East Sportsmanship awards.
Both boys and girls teams were highly competitive this season. We were thrilled that the girls team won the Ski East Championship. This is a first for Needham High! “I was not expecting a league title this season for the girls. Typically a championship requires a top 3 racer in the league to earn podiums (finishing first, second, or third) during races, especially after our number one seeded racer Jessie Brandish suffered an injury midway through the season.”
However, what made the girls team special this year was the strength and depth of the entire varsity team, who stepped up after Jessie’s injury to maintain their first place finish for the duration of the season. Junior Cassie Vincenzo took the lead along with State Championship qualifiers freshman Elodie Rosen and her sister junior Adah Rosen, along with junior Story Bracker. Other varsity racers who played key roles in their championship season included senior captain Zoe Ettinger, juniors Anna Del Vechio, Haley Larsen, sophomore Zoe Gacs, and freshman Juliette Poulin.
On the boys’ side, captain Will Kence capped off a stellar four-year career, finishing second overall in the Ski East individual standings after a season-long battle with powerhouse BC High. "Will is a special racer who has a passion for skiing and racing and leaves a hall of fame legacy with the Needham Ski Team, " said Head Coach Tom Guarente. "He was consistently on the podium throughout his career and had three first-place finishes this season. He was also a four year qualifier for States.”
Other standout varsity racers included state qualifiers senior captain Evan Bagg, juniors Zach Raley and Adam Ganetsky, and freshmen Jake Musiak and Christian Rocamboli. Additional varsity members were senior captain Jake MacNeil, junior Brandon Ah Kee, and freshmen Daniel Bloom and Ryan Curtis.
"I think going forward, Needham is going to be in great shape with the strong culture we have developed and a young Boys Varsity Team who gained valuable race experience this season," Guarente said, looking to the teams future, "The Girls Varsity Team will be looking to continue their success next season with only one senior graduating.”
Skiing is often a family tradition, and Needham’s program has seen many siblings come through the ranks. “It is a wonderful experience to get to know these special families, often spanning for many years, as brothers and sisters come through the team. Burt Parker and I really enjoy coaching the team and look forward to another successful season, which is not measured solely on the results, but on the overall positive experiences the kids have learning life skills and becoming better skiers and racers."
This year, the season concludes with the MIAA State Championships on Tuesday February 25th at Berkshire East where the Rockets will send a record ten racers.
