DOVER- Alpine J3 and J4 racers met for major competitions over the last week, and Mount Snow Academy students were well represented.

The J4 (ages 11 and 12) state championships at Sugarbush included a field of 85 boys. Eli Swing finished fourth overall. By finishing first in the Southern Vermont series, Swing will be moving on to the Future Stars training and competition camp for racers from throughout the East.

The J3 Olympics were held at Sunday River, where 13- and 14-year-olds from throughout the East gathered to compete. Alva Swing, who held sixth place overall at the end of the state championships, finished 12th overall in the super G at the J3 Olympics.

Meanwhile, the Southern Vermont regional results for snowboarders found a number of MSA students in strong positions. Noelle Edwards finished the Southern Vermont series in first place in halfpipe, boardercross, giant slalom, and slalom, and in the second spot in slopestyle among Breaker Girls (ages 12 and 13). Jessica Gibson placed first in halfpipe and third in slopestyle among youth women (ages 14 and 15), and teammate Allie Kaplan ranked second in halfpipe and third in slopestyle among junior women (ages 16 and 17).

MSA men also placed successfully at the Southern Vermont regionals. Codey Ellison finished first in halfpipe and second in slopestyle among men in the youth category (ages 14 and 15). Mait Ianiri came in eigth in halfpipe. Austin Schweyher qualified first in slopestyle and third in halfpipe among junior men. Wyatt Mosher tied for first in halfpipe and placed second in slopestyle. Jordan Saccoccie finished sixth in slopestyle and ninth in halfpipe, and DJ Torroni ranked eighth in halfpipe and ninth in slopestyle. Torroni has already qualified for nationals as a result of finishing first overall in his age group at the 2009 nationals.

Skiers and riders are now eagerly waiting to see who will receive invitations to the USASA Nationals, which will be held at Copper Mountain, CO, in early April.