More than 20 competitors from the Massanutten Ski & Snowboard Team have qualified for the USASA Nationals held March 29-April 11 at Copper Mountain, Colo.
Qualifying athletes include: Owen Gordon, Kayla Nguyen, Sienna McKinley, Tommy Carmody, Carson Crawford, MaryKenna Carmody, Teaghan Ohnstad, Donovan Mosca, Finn Thompson, Logan Skinner, Sam Voekler, Nicholas Pierce, Bailey Clawson, Fionna Thompson, Neil Donnelly, Jr., Keegan Thompson, Kolton Almany, Josephine Robertson, Matt Robertson, Dominque Ohnstad, Tyler Roan, and Zachary Clawson.
The athletes will be accompanied by their coaches, Dennis “Target” Carmody, J.P. Dollins, Shannon DiFede, Sandra Dull, Ashely Schneider, Sam Dull, Brandon Payne, James Bayles, and Cameron Dean.
“This is by far the most athletes to qualify from Massanutten, and we’re honored to be a part of their story,” said Kenny Hess, director of sports and safety at Massanutten Resort. “Massanutten’s athletes have all worked hard and achieved a lot in their respective disciplines, but even more importantly, they are a great group of athletes and friends who look out for one another. These achievements would not have been possible without our amazing Freestyle Team coaches as well as the continued support of the athletes’ families.”
The Massanutten Ski and Snowboard Team is comprised of nearly 100 athletes ranging from seven to 19 years old, from across the state of Virginia. Each team member receives an unlimited season pass to Massanutten Resort and attends three set practices a week to raise their skill-level in order to compete amongst the best in the nation. The team’s dedicated coaches strive to help their athletes develop proper techniques with a team-oriented approach while promoting the significance of understanding and respect for safety factors inherent in the sport of Freestyle.
Coach Carmody said, “Massanutten continues to make its mark on the national stage. I believe that because of these athletes’ dedication and success, our program is going to grow exponentially in the coming years.”
Out of the 15 current and former Massanutten Ski & Snowboard Team members who qualified for last year’s event, two medaled at the 2018 USASA Nationals. Neil Donnelly placed third in the Men’s Junior Boardercross division and Eli Derrick placed second for Overall Freeski Youth Men.