KILLINGTON- The Twin Valley snowboarding team is back in action for the 2010 season. In last year’s inaugural season, the Wildcats had four riders who finished in the top 10 at the state snowboarding championships.

Coaches Christine Abraham and John Keegan said the team surpassed their expectations. This year, Abraham and Keegan hope to build on the team’s snowboarding skills and have more riders finish strong at this year’s championships.

Abraham said this year’s team is much larger. There are 12 riders in all. Nobody was cut and many riders joined the team to improve snowboarding skills. Whether they win or lose this season, Abraham said they all will learn the fundamentals of competitive snowboarding.

The girls’ snowboarding team dazzled at a recent Killington giant slalom meet. On Monday, four girls competed and two made it into the top five. Out of 37 riders, Desiree Mack placed second with a combined time of one minute and 20 seconds (38.27 in the first run and 41.85 in the second run) and Chelsea Schneider placed fourth with a combined time of one minute and 22 seconds (40.34 in the first run and 41.98 in the second run).

Brittney Torroni placed 17th and Jennifer Jones placed 31st for the Wildcats.

On the boys’ side, the Wildcats had eight snowboarders compete. Out of 66 competitors, George Squires was Twin Valley’s top finisher in 22nd place. He was followed by Gus Wing who finished 30th; Ricardo Pereira, 47th; Mark Smith, 52nd; Mike Squires, 60th; Zac Bigneau, 61st; David Weber, 62nd; and Jason Moore, 65th.

“It was a tough giant slalom course for a lot of these kids. For many of them, it was the first time they ever ran gates,” said Abraham. “The team looks promising. They have great attitudes and everyone’s ready to learn more stuff. It will be a great season.”

Next Wednesday, the Wildcats compete in boardercross racing at Bromley. The meet begins at 1 pm.

On Thursday, they compete in slopestyle at Mount Snow. The meet begins at 1 pm.