Ski Team

Skier Surdoval is Three-time State Champ

Head ski coach Rob Merrifield reports on the ski team’s end-of-the-season results and stats:

Kait Surdoval ’08: selected to the All Prep and All State First Teams; 2nd at State Giant Slalom Championship; 1st at State Slalom Championship (by 7 seconds!); overall State Champion for the third year in a row!
   Kate will travel to Cranmore Mt. in New Hampshire for the Eastern Regional High School Championships with the New Jersey team to compete against all star teams from other eastern states.

Nate Brodell ’09: selected to the All Prep Team for placing in the top nine for his results during our league races

Louis Cirillo ’08: selected to the All Prep Team as well as the All State First Team (top 5 in state!); 10th at State Giant Slalom Championship, 5th at State Slalom Championship, 5th overall at the state championships

Da In Lee ’09: 14th at State Slalom Championships (her best finish)

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Ski Team Trains Over Break

Ski Team Coach Rob Merrifield reports on the trip taken by the team to Breckenridge, Colorado, during the holiday break: “From 12/14 to 12/20, 13 of the 14 members of the team traveled westward. Besides reviewing some technical racing drills in the morning with video, we skied a variety of trails – from moguls to bowls to glades – to broaden our ski technique and get us ready for the upcoming race season. Living in a condo together for six days was also a team bonding experience! On the 16th, Lou and Deb Cirillo, parents of Louis ’08, hosted a dinner for us at their house in Breckenridge. In addition, they provided transportation to and from the Denver airport for us. Without their help, this trip would have been much more difficult and expensive for us.”

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Rob Merrifield, Head Coach
Michele McMillan, Assistant

The ski team season runs from January through late February.

Dear Ski Team Candidate,
The Blair Ski Team competes against other private schools such as the Morristown-Beard School, Pingry, Don Bosco Prep and ImmaculateHeart Academy. In this Prep School League, Blair typically places first or second and has made strong showings against the top public schools in the NJ State Championships.

How good are the skiers who try out for the team?
Recently, most team members have had 6 - 8 years of skiing experience at many New England ski areas before coming to Blair. Although only a third of these skiers have had prior racing experience, all candidates must be able to aggressively ski nearly any trail on any mountain under nearly any condition.  

How many people comprise the Blair Ski Team?      
First of all, both boys and girls are eligible and train together. There are separate boys and girl's races held on the same night. The Varsity and Junior Varsity teams each consist of six racers.

What is preseason training like?
Preseason training begins immediately after the conclusion of the fall athletic season, usually two weeks before Thanksgiving. Practices generally last about 1.5 hours and consist of stretching exercises, a warm up jog of 1 mile, hill and/or slalom runs, leg strength exercises, calisthenics, and a stretch down. For variety we sometimes play soccer or ultimate frisbee.

What is the on-snow season like?
Our season runs from the beginning of January to the end of February. During that time we compete in 3 Prep League slalom races, 3 giant slalom races, 2 or 3 invitational races, and the NJ State Championship. During a typical week we will practice on Monday and Friday afternoons at Shawnee Mt. (PA) with 100 - 200 gates each day, use Tuesday afternoon to file and wax skis, race on Wednesday night at 5:00 at Mt. Creek, and watch ski racing videos on Thursday afternoon.  

Doesn't this schedule take a lot of time away from schoolwork?
Yes, it certainly could and each candidate must be fully aware of this from the beginning of the season. During the season you must be very careful to budget your time effectively and work ahead on weekends and days when we do not ski.  

What does each team member need to provide?
You will need your own racing skis, boots, poles, clothing, helmet, and file and wax kit. Although the school will provide coaching, transportation, and race fees, you will still need to pay for lift tickets (about $250 - $400).  

Who are the coaches?       
I skied competitively for 4 years in high school and 4 years for St. Lawrence University, a Division I ski team. I've been head coach at Blair since 1981. My other responsibilities at Blair include teaching Biology and Environmental Science as well as running the Outdoor Skills program.

Jim Connor also skied competitively in high school. While at the Univ. of Colorado, he raced professionally. At the Holderness School in NH, he coached their top USSA skiers for 15 years before coming to Blair to join the History Dept.   If you have any questions regarding the Blair Ski Team please feel free to talk with me during a campus visit, write, call me at (908) 362 - 6121 x5668 or e-mail me at merrir@blair.edu.  

Rob Merrifield

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