PRINCETON — At the beginning of the alpine skiing season, Addie Loomis worried about facing the challenges of the giant slalom at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area when state competition came around in February.
She took a different approach to this year’s race at Wachusett Mountain.
“I really just had to take a step out of my body almost,” Loomis said. “Just to look at the situation and look at what I’ve done. I kind of just realized that this is my last states. There’s no point in stressing about it. When I do stress it obviously has not helped me in the past.”
In the final race event of her high school career, Loomis completely exorcised those worries at the MIAA Alpine Ski Championships on Wednesday. Finishing in a time of 56.12 seconds, Loomis captured the individual giant slalom state championship for the Mohawk Trail Regional girls ski team.
“I had a good start,” Loomis said. “But I honestly don’t know what I did. Skiing it, I came down and I am really good at gauging how I did after a run, whether it’s good or going to be bad. After that I was totally clueless on how it was going to go. I went back up to the start and everyone told me that I had a strong start. I just trusted myself.”
This was Loomis’ best performance at Wachusett Mountain during her decorated career. Loomis had the best combined time in both the slalom and the giant slalom (1:46.50).
“The last few days I’ve just been thinking about how I wanted to come at this day,” Loomis said. “Taking pressure off myself. I just took a step back and realized this is my last one. I just wanted to go ski as hard as I can and if it’s a win it’s a win.”
Jillian Bradford of Nashoba Regional placed second overall (56.82) in the giant slalom. Bradford skis regularly at Wachusett Mountain for the Wolves. Loomis just missed out on the slalom championship with a second place finish (50.38).
“I always tell people this, she (Loomis) has the highest sports I.Q. of any athlete I’ve ever met, in any sport,” Mohawk coach Brandon Boucias said. “We can have winners, or we can all win together and have this incredible experience together. She’s embraced that this year.”
Bradford took the slalom championship for Nashoba (50.15).
“I am happy with that run,” Loomis said. “For me, that was a good run. Jillian Bradford is a great skier. Especially in slalom. I wasn’t bummed or disappointed or anything. I felt like I skied the best I could. She just skied better than me. I am happy with my run and how it went.”
Loomis finished a near perfect career for the Warriors. Loomis did not lose during Western Mass. competition during her four years in high school.
“I guess thinking back on it, it really couldn’t have gone any better,” Loomis said. “There are moments in my head that I wish I could change. Like sophomore year, states here (Wachusett). But at the same time without that year of a struggle I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did today. Overall I am proud.”
After a highly successful high career, Loomis will move on to the University of Utah next fall. During her time in the Beehive State, she will enjoy the excellent skiing conditions in a non-competitive setting.
“I think I will do the club team,” Loomis said. “It’s lowkey. You only have to do two races. I just want to go and free ski and actually learn how to ski powder. Recreational skiing on the east coach is nothing like west coast skiing. Out there, you can’t waste that snow. It’s nothing like what we get here.”
The Mohawk girls team placed sixth (5:55.73) in the team standings. The team championship went to Medway with a combined time of (5:44.22). Brooke Koshinsky placed 59th (59.91) in the slalom for Mohawk.
Saint John’s Preparatory won the boys team state championship with a combined time of (5:32.51). Mohawk placed 12th (6:02.05). Ben Zarotny placed 54th (1:00. 62) for the Warriors in the giant slalom. Gunnar Triggs took 39th in the slalom for Mohawk (57.18)
Boys basketball
The 37th-seeded Athol boys basketball team lost to No. 28 Southbridge, 55-50, on the road in the MIAA Division 5 state tournament preliminary round on Wednesday.
The Bears attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter but ultimately fell short. Athol outscored the Pioneers 19-8 in the final frame.
“Really proud of my guys for never quitting, they fought all the way to the end,” Athol coach Brian Patria said. “Give them credit, they can shoot. We contested a lot of their shots and they made them.”
The Pioneers connected on eight 3-pointers during the game. Athol did not shoot well from the free throw line.
“For us the simple parts of the game hurt us,” Patria said. “Going 2-12 on the free-throw line really was the difference. I want to thank and take my hat off to all my seniors for their hard work and commitment to Athol basketball.”
Karim Thompson scored 17 points for the Bears. Dominik St. Andre added 10 points with three 3-pointers.