Things have really gone downhill for Lucas Pencak during his senior year at MSJ - but that’s just the way he likes it.
Lucas is one of eight members of the MSJ Ski Team, competing in slalom and giant slalom events. In his fourth year at MSJ, the senior has goals for himself on the mountain and for life after graduation. Lucas competes in athletics throughout the school year as a member of the cross-country team in the fall and the baseball team in the spring.
The ski team practices two to three days a week for approximately two hours at Pico Ski Area. There, they run gates practicing for Slalom and Giant Slalom races on the training trail. The team runs a total of 10 races, which includes six regular season meets as well as a Slalom and Giant Slalom race in both the district and state meets.
Lucas said the team’s goals this year are to be competitive with larger schools throughout the season and to qualify for the state meet, which they accomplished last year.
“We did pretty decent at states. We beat Rice, so that was a good thing,” Lucas said, referring to Rice Memorial High School, Vermont’s other Catholic High School.
For his personal goals, Lucas is seeking to be the best skier he can be.
“I’m trying to consistently ski at a higher level and put down good runs on a consistent basis, not be like Jekyll and Hyde, back and forth.”
Lucas chose MSJ because he liked the community feel.
“I just thought I would fit pretty well here,” Lucas said. “I like the teachers and the staff a lot, like Coach Hall and Mr. Stevens. They do a good job and you get to know them really well.”
Lucas is planning to attend University of Vermont after graduation, where he intends to study business administration.
Other members of the 2018-19 MSJ Ski Team are Austin Clarke, Ben Pencak (yes, Lucas’ brother if you were wondering), Hitoshi Kondo, Ezra Robichaud, Grant Thurston, Avery Thurston, and Chase Wiegers.
“It’s a good group of hardworking guys and it’s a really fun group to be around,” Lucas said, noting that the ski team welcomes male and female athletes, but all of the skiers happen to be boys for the 2018-19 season.
UPDATE: The 2018-19 Varsity Alpine Ski Team won the district championship on February 26, 2019! The team exhibited great teamwork, anchored by Austin (4th in GS), Ben (4th in SL), Lucas (5th in GS) and good showing by all of our athletes.
Congratulations Ski Team!