Qualifying Deep Creek Winter Sports Team (DCWST) athletes traveled to represent the western Pennsylvania region the last two weekends for State Championships. These Championship
races are only available to very exclusive U12-U16 racers who have worked hard to qualify by accumulating World Cup points throughout the winter season. Excitingly, DCWST athlete Trent
Bray finished first overall in the U16 State Championships and will go on to represent Pennsylvania in the Eastern Championships in Sugarloaf, ME March 16-20. DCWST athlete Vale Braun also finished third overall in the U12 State Championships and will also represent PA in the Francis Piche Invitational at Gunstock Mountain Resort, NH March 11-15.

DCWST athletes U10 and under competed in a speed race at Wisp Resort on February 15th. Podium results include Kearney Guidera (1st, U8 1F); Abigail Furer (1st, U8 2F), Sammy Eakes (2nd, U8 2F); Kasey Follett (1st, U10 1M), Graham Lizzi (2nd, U10 1M), Elon Nushi (3rd, U10 1M); Sawyer Guidera (1st, U10 2F), Cecilia Perfetti (2nd, U10 2F), Allie Beitzel (3rd, U10 2F); Chase Niesslein (1st, U10 2M), Kieran Dixon (2nd, U10 2M), and Luke Teter (3rd, U10 2M).

The U12 State Championships was hosted at Ski Roundtop the weekend of February 21-22. Top finishing athletes from DCWST were Brady Guidera (14th overall – 13th in SL and GS) and
Vale Braun (3rd overall – 4th in SL and 3rd in GS). DCWST athletes also representing western include Josephine Haigh, Jason “JJ” Bergin, Silas Cavazos, and Benjamin Goodier.

Vale Braun finished 3rd overall in the U12 PARA State Championships.

The U14 State Championships were hosted at Seven Springs Resort the weekend of February 21-22. Top finishing athletes from DCWST were Emma Easterday (31st overall – 30th in SL and
29th in GS) and Eliot Eckel (25th overall – 29th in SL and 22nd in GS). DCWST athletes also representing western include Arden Braun, Mary Tusing, and John Haigh.

The U16 State Championships were hosted at Blue Mountain the weekend of February 27- March 1. Top finishing athletes from DCWST were Isla Norrington (15th overall – 5th in Super G,
18th in GS, and 37th in SL) and Trent Bray (1st overall – 2nd in SG, 1st in GS, and 4th in SL). DCWST athletes also representing western include Asher Eckel (unable to participate), Gavin
Grunseich, and Troy Bray.

2026 U16 PARA State Champion Trent Bray

U18 and older athletes also had an opportunity to participate in the PA Cup Finals at Elk Mountain Ski Area held the weekend of February 27-March 1. DCWST Athletes Gavin Nolan,
Avabella Perfetti, Kara Opfer, and Abigail Mullin skied through variable snow conditions on challenging course sets and had some of their best finishes of the season.

In addition to post-season events for Bray and Braun, DCWST will wrap up their season with the Maryland Governor’s Cup sponsored by Railey Realty and Railey Vacations at Wisp Resort this
coming March 7-8th.

 

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