The final standings may not show it, but the members of the HHS Ski Team had a fun winter. Although the girls team finished 7th in the Ski East League and the boys finished 8th, weekly team dinners and easy camaraderie helped elevate the season.

“We were never really competitive about it,” said Justin Rosko, a sophomore captain. “The point was just to have fun.”

Coach Bob Egan called the season a “building year after losing some seniors.” The size of the team was the biggest obstacle, since teams are allowed up to 10 girls and 10 boys skiing varsity, and an unlimited number of JV skiers. This year, the girls team had four skiers and the boys team had eight.

Rosko and Josh Joy, another sophomore, were their team’s most consistent finishers, Coach Egan said. Sophomore Tom Cleary represented the team on the snowboard course. Seniors Abby Campbell and Stephanie Ruck, along with sophomores Joy Replogle and Annika Rowland, all gave strong performances. Campbell captained the girls team.

The outlook for next year looks bright, despite the loss of seniors Campbell and Ruck, both four-year Varsity Letter skiers. A solid group of returning skiers will hopefully be able to pick up a few new skiers. Practices and races are held at Blue Hills in Canton, and the team races four times a year at Ragged Mountain in New Hampshire as well.

“Next season we are hoping for a larger group of freshmen to bring the team to 20-plus members,” Coach Egan said.