By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
CARIBOU – The Vikings have a new head coach on the Alpine side.
Marie Strouse, who moved from Ohio to northern Maine two years ago, has plenty of skiing experience. She is a former member of the Alpine team at Ohio State University and has been on skis since she was 4 years old, having skied much of the Rocky Mountains.
Contributed photo/MaineLine Studios
CARIBOU ALPINE TEAM – Members of the CHS Alpine ski team are, in front from left, Nolan McDuffie, Sean Barbosa, Dylan Ouellette, Matt Lulofs, Connor Thibeault and Kevin Strid. Back, Mallorie Cyr, Ginger Kieffer, Lydia Kieffer, Regan Buck, Laura Collins, Mary Jo Sheenan, Sara Huston, Jessica Zyblut, Courtney Burby and manager Megan Doody. Absent when photo was taken were Dean Walker, Trevor Cyr, Devin Cyr and Graham Freme.
In terms of coaching, she has served as a volunteer assistant with both the Caribou High School track and field and cross country running programs.
She is excited to be involved with the Alpine ski program at CHS.
“The team is fortunate to have an abundance of support from the athletic department, as they make it possible for us to have practices at Big Rock Ski Area [in Mars Hill], a practice slope at the school and all the equipment needed to set gates for practice racing,” Strouse said.
In addition to her racing experience, she feels she has plenty to contribute as the team’s coach.
“I’m hoping to bring a renewed enthusiasm for Alpine skiing as well as an athletic approach to training team members to ski to their fastest potential,” Strouse said.
The boys team includes sophomores Sean Barbosa and Nolan McDuffie, the top returnees, along with Devin Cyr, Trevor Cyr, Graham Freme, Matt Lulofs, Dylan Ouellette, Kevin Strid, Connor Thibeault and Dean Walker.
The girls team is led by seniors Laura Collins and Lydia Kieffer and sophomore Ginger Kieffer, who are the top veterans. Seniors Mary Jo Sheehan and Jessica Zbylut are also on the squad along with Regan Buck, Courtney Burby, Mallorie Cyr and Sara Huston.
“Preseason practices have gone well thus far, with a concentration on dry land strength training,” Strouse said. “We are hoping for more snow and consistent winter weather to produce conditions ideal for training on the slopes.”
She said “Alpine tough” is the team’s motto and wants team members to commit themselves to improving their current skiing ability.”
