Season of Grit and Growth for Cardigan Ski Team

The wonderfully snowy winter seemingly energized Cardigan’s ski team to a remarkable season of its own. It was a season defined by a supportive team culture and steady growth, and rewarded with hard-earned results. The 2025-26 Cougars reflected resilience, commitment, and a love of skiing.

“What stood out most this season was how willing this group was to work,” said Skiing Program Director Julia Ford. “They showed up every day ready to improve, to support one another, and to trust the process. As the season progressed, they not only improved technically but also grew in confidence and composure. In many ways, this team surpassed our expectations, and that was a direct result of their effort, consistency, and belief in one another.”

The skiers compete in U.S. Ski and Snowboard events by age classification:

U12

The U12 age group enjoyed an outstanding season, highlighted by strong performances from Cedric Donovan ’29 (Enfield, NH) and Luis Han ’29 (Seoul, S. Korea). Both qualified for the NHARA U12 State Championships, a terrific accomplishment. Cedric finished third in both the slalom and giant slalom at states and qualified for the Francois Piche Invitational, where he again impressed by taking third place in both the GS and slalom.

U14

Nine of Cardigan’s U14 racers qualified for the NHARA U14 State Championships, a testament to the group’s consistency and depth. Four skiers — Andrew Ames ’27 (Hanover, NH), Reo Kelley ’28 (Hanover, NH), Eliott Lo ’28 (Truckee, CA), and Logan Shainker ’28 (Canaan, NH) — advanced to U.S. Ski & Snowboard Eastern Championships, where Eliott raced to a second-place podium finish in the slalom and earned an invitation to the Can Am Championships. Ross Navins ’28 (Norwich, VT) and James Harris ’28 (Hanover, NH) represented Cardigan at the U14 Francois Piche Invitational, where Ross placed 6th in the GS, and James scored a second-place finish in the slalom.

U16

The U16 Cougars chose their races from an ambitious slate of 35 U.S. Ski & Snowboard events, in addition to the NEPSAC Championship, and the team’s results reflected both the breadth and depth of its talent. Across those races, Cardigan athletes recorded 16 top-20 finishes, 21 top-15 finishes, 20 top-10 finishes, seven top-five results, and two top-three finishes. Perhaps most satisfying, every member of the U16 team scored at least one top-15 finish or better this season.

In January, Alex Elkus ’26 (Fairfield, CT) was invited to participate in the Regional Project Series (RPS) for the region’s best skiers. Mac Navins ’26 (Norwich, VT) and Everett Lo ’26 (Truckee, CA) qualified for U.S. Ski & Snowboard Eastern Championships and posted two top-20 results. Alex Elkus ’26 and Justin Seong ’27 (Seoul, S. Korea) participated in the Eastern Finals, where they capped the season with two top-five and two top-10 finishes. Mac Navins was named to the All-NEPSAC team.

The results paint a picture of a successful winter, but that painting does not fully capture the work behind the scenes — the training camps, early mornings, missed class days, and homework completed on long bus rides home. It is a grind that asks a great deal of student-athletes, and it asks even more when the standard remains high both in the classroom and on the hill.

Ms. Ford is quick to point out that Cardigan’s ski program succeeds because of the many adults who make it possible. “I am so grateful to our entire coaching staff for the time, energy, and care they give these boys all season long,” she said. “I also want to thank all of the teachers who support our athletes academically while they are traveling for ski racing. Their flexibility, encouragement, and belief in our students make a tremendous difference. It takes a full community to help these boys thrive, and we are deeply appreciative of everyone who helped make this season such a positive one.” 

It was a season worth celebrating — not only for the podium finishes and championship qualifications, but for the resilience, character, and sense of shared purpose that defined this team from start to finish.

For more information about Cardigan’s Alpine Skiing Program, please click here.

Alpine Skiing