The 2002-2003 Ski Team Awards Banquet was held Wednesday, March 5, at Onekama High School wrapping up a very successful season for the team members and coaches. A banquet feast fit for royalty was laid out on tables as each ski team family arrived and added their specialty dishes to the tables. This is not a once a year feast for the ski team however, as parents put on a feast for their racers , coach Miller and coach Mathieu after / during every race throughout the season.

Ski Team Awards Banquet

Pictured left to right, back row are your medalists who won medals during the 2002-2003 race season. Coach Curt Mathieu, ChristopherSmith, Wiley Heller, Jackson Carter, Coach Dale Miller.
Front row, Kelli Hopwood, Kaylie Mathieu, Stephanie Griffen and Erica Jach.

Earning All Region was Kaylie Mathieu, Kelli Hopwood, and Wiley Heller. To earn all region one must be in the top 15 of the region. Congratulations!

One of the most important things you can do for your team is good sportsmanship. This includes being upbeat and positive even when things might not be going so well, not just when all is good. Being voted in for this award by fellow team mates was, Kelli Hopwood, Alex Harris and Erica Jach. The photo captures exactly why their teammates wanted them to have this honor. Look at those smiles! We saw those smiles even on bad days, and they were right there to pick up the spirits of the team members when it was needed.

Earning the "coveted" Most Valuable Awards (MVP) were Kaylie Mathieu and Wiley Heller. Working from a points system, these two were the clear winnersof this prestigious award. Congratulations!

All team members received their Varsity Letter, Numbers or ski pins as well as these highlights....

  • Senior Kelli Hopwood received ALL REGION, Medalist Certificate, Captains Award and Team Sportsman.
  • Erica Jach: Team Sportsman, Medalist Certificate
  • Chris Smith: Captain Award, Medalist Certificate
  • Kaylie Mathieu: MVP, ALL REGION, Medalist Certificate
  • Garry Honeycutt: Most Improved Boy
  • Alex Harris: Team Sportsman
  • Stephanie Griffin: Medalist Certificate, Most Improved Girl
  • Wiley Heller: ALL REGION, MVP, Medalists Certificate
  • Jackson Carter: Medalist Certificate

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Captains for the 2002-2003 season were Christopher Smith and KelliHopwood. (not pictured),Tom Meoak was co-captain of the boys team.

Videos were running for all to watch of world cup training and racing as well as video tapes of the ski team's races this season while we ate and visited. A short "business" meeting was held by Coach Miller to discuss the possibility of another trip to Colorado for training, the impact of consolidation on the ski team/sports in general if any impact at all, to squash all rumors of there being no ski team next year, and various loose ends that needed to be tied up.

Monica Higley of Bear Lake and Jared Lutz of Onekama were recognized for their manager duties performed this year and received the respective awards. Both of them will be on coming freshman next year and will be nice assets to the team.

Exiting Seniors this year are Kelli Hopwood and Tom Meoak , both are sure to be missed by the team next year. Tom Meoak became injured during a race and was unable to finish the race season, his positive and upbeat attitude was missed as the season progressed. Good luck to both of our Seniors as they embark on new adventures in life. Coach Miller stressed the importance of staying fit and continuing dryland training in the "off" season. If anyone is interested in being on the ski team next year, you may contact Coach Dale Miller or any ski team member.

Most improved recipients were Stephanie Griffin (pictured) and Garry Honeycutt (not pictured). This was Stephanie's first year racing and she quickly climbed the ranks becoming a solid competitor. Garry is also new to racing and is sure to be someone to watch out for in the future.

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page created March 6, 2003