After giving up their crown last winter, the Mohawk Trail girls alpine ski team is looking to reclaim its title as the best ski team in the state on Tuesday. 

The Warriors captured state titles on the mountain in 2022 and 2023, but last winter had to settle for second place as Masconomet Regional came out on top. 

With an extremely talented roster, expect Mohawk Trail to be in the mix for a first place trophy when the MIAA state meet gets underway at 9 a.m. on Tuesday at Berkshire East Mountain Resort. 

“It’ll be interesting [Tuesday],” Warriors girls coach Brandon Boucias said. “It’s going to be tricky with the warmer weather where the snow will be very soft. I’m expecting good things from my team. The girls have been training hard all year. They put in the work and I’m confident about them doing well.” 

If the Warrior girls are to reclaim first place, they’ll need to be led by Addie Loomis. 

The junior was the winner in all seven PVIAC races during the regular season and during the PVIAC individual championship on Feb. 11, had the fastest time in both the slalom and giant slalom races to once again take first. She earned top 10 finishes in both races at the state championship meet at Wachusett Mountain last year. 

It takes more than just one strong performance to win against the best the state has to offer however.

Lydie Pinkham, Sofiya Slocik-Gritzner, Grace Sisum, Brooke Koshinsky, Caroline Makosiej and Jaylynn Peters round out the Mohawk Trail girls who will be skiing on Tuesday, with all six showing well throughout the season. 

Pinkham — an eighth grader — took second during the PVIAC individual championship, Koshinsky placed seventh, Slocik-Gritzner took eighth while Sisum placed ninth, giving the Warriors five of the top 10 placers at the event. 

Makosiej and Peters placed in the top 20, giving Mohawk Trail strong depth as it looks to take home a state title. 

Even with all the success, Boucias understands that it’s hard to know what teams from the other part of the state have in their lineup. The longtime coach is encouraging his team to do their best and the results will take care of themselves. 

“I don’t have to put any pressure on them,” Boucias said. “My job is to make them feel like they can only do what they can do and if they do their best, they’ll be alright. I’m confident with where we’re at. The girls have gotten so much better as the season has gone on.” 

The Warrior boys also had a stellar season but will be down their top skier on Tuesday. 

Senior Phineas Tuttman, who placed third at the PVIAC individual championship and won two PVIAC races during the season, was injured in practice and will be unable to participate in Tuesday’s state meet. 

Grayson Bishop will step into the top spot for the Warriors, having finished fifth at the PVIAC individual championship. Ben Zarotny and Liam Zarotny both finished in the top 10 of the PVIAC North Division this winter and are looking for big days on Tuesday while Gunnar Triggs and Zavel Gardner round out the Warrior boys racing at states. 

“We had a super year,” Mohawk Trail boys coach Bennett Boucias said. “It went better than I thought and we’re excited for [Tuesday]. We’re in a bit of strife with Phineas out. Grayson Bishop is going to step up and do well. He’s excited for the opportunity. It’s going to be a warm day so I’m sure everyone will be excited to be there.” 

The opening runs are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday while the second runs will take place around 11:30 a.m.