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Samuel Geissinger of Spruce Mountain wins his heat during last year’s Waterville High School Sprint Festival at the Quarry Road Trails. Geissinger is one of many skiers from western Maine primed for a strong season this winter. (Joe Phelan/Staff Photographer)

Jackson Archer, Spruce Mountain sophomore, Alpine: Archer had an outstanding freshman season, finishing fifth in MVC slalom and sixth in giant slalom. He is the conference’s No. 2 returner in both events.

Dylan Cobb, Poland junior, Alpine: One of the top skiers in the state, Cobb is the No. 1-returnee in Class B giant slalom and should also compete for a podium spot in slalom after placing fifth a year ago.

Sam Geissinger, Spruce Mountain senior, Nordic: Geissinger is the reigning MVC Nordic freestyle and classical champion. He opened the season with a first-place finish in at the Waterville Sprint Festival.

Carter Hill, Edward Little junior, Alpine: Hill is the KVAC’s top returning athlete in giant slalom after placing third last year. He’s also one of many talented returners for EL in slalom after finishing ninth last year.

Finn Morton, Mt. Blue junior, Alpine: In Morton, the No. 2 KVAC returner in slalom and the conference’s No. 3 returner in giant slalom, the Cougars have an athlete who has a shot to top the podium in both events.

Finn Morton of Mt. Blue competes in the 2024 Class A skiing championships at Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton. (Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer)

Damon Rucci, Leavitt senior, Nordic: Rucci finished 13th in the KVAC B pursuit last season, then saved his best showing of the year for last as he claimed eighth place in the event at the state meet. 

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Sawyer Shanaman, Edward Little junior, Alpine: Like teammate Carter Hill in giant slalom, Shanaman is the top KVAC returner in slalom after placing third a year ago. He’s also the KVAC’s No. 2 returner in giant slalom, behind Hill.

Sam St. Germain, Winthrop junior, Nordic: The No. 2 returner in the MVC, St. Germain will be a premier Nordic skier at both the conference and state levels this winter.

Calvin Vincent, Edward Little senior, Alpine: Vincent was another key contributor for the Red Eddies last season, finishing eighth in slalom at KVACs and ninth in giant slalom.

Damian Wynn, Mt. Blue sophomore, Nordic: Wynn is the No. 2 Nordic returner in the KVAC and will be key to the Cougars’ bid for a fifth consecutive Class A championship.

Also keep an eye on: Jacob Buckley, Gray-New Gloucester senior, Alpine; Khalil Hamdi, Mountain Valley junior, Alpine/Nordic; River Wilkie, Mt. Blue sophomore, Alpine

Mike Mandell came to the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel in April 2022 after spending five and a half years with The Ellsworth American in Hancock County, Maine. He came to Maine out of college after...