Wilton High Girls Ski Team Wins States In Class S; Boys Claim Second

**News Release Submitted by Rachel Leung**

Feb. 28, 2023

The Wilton High ski team once again gave an impressive performance at the annual State Open on Monday, Feb. 27, at Mt. Southington. The Wilton girls – for the third consecutive year – is the Class S State Champion (Daniel Hand placed second and Weston took third), and the Wilton boys claimed second place in Class S behind Brunswick School.

Additionally, as the State Open is a combined race of Class L and S teams, both the Warrior girls and boys placed third overall. Wilton girls competed against 12 teams (6 from Class L and 6 from Class S), succumbing only to Class L rivals Fairfield and Ridgefield who tied for first place and Staples (second). Wilton boys battled 13 teams (7 from Class L and 6 from Class S), yielding only to Class L Fairfield Prep (first) and Class S Brunswick (second).

“I’m extremely proud of our Warriors, both girls and boys,” Bill Howard, Wilton girls coach, said. “Not only did they race well at States but their regular season was very strong, too, with the girls going undefeated and boys achieving third. We also have considerable depth on our team; while we’ll sorely miss our seniors, some of our strongest skiers are underclassmen which bodes well for the future.”

Case in point, sophomores Paige Leung and Gabby O’Meara were the girls’ leading scorers and both earned First Team All State recognition. Senior captains Samantha Mims and Sloane Sullivan and sophomore Georgia Polito achieved Honorable Mention All State accolades. Sophomore Connor Buchichio and junior Daniel Zoubarev were the leading scorers for the boys.

Wilton Girls State Open Highlights

In the States race, sophomore Gabby O’Meara led the Warrior girls, finishing 8th overall out of 125 skiers with a combined two-run time of 46.42. She was followed by sophomore Paige Leung (20th; 47.49); senior captains Samantha Mims (34th; 48.82) and Sloane Sullivan (36th; 49.07); sophomore Georgia Polito (42nd; 49.56); freshmen Lyla Theoharides (50th; 50.35), Polina Popova (56th; 50.75) and Charlotte DiNapoli (59th; 50.8); sophomore Kellogg Pettibone (60th; 50.84); and junior Kate Rusin (102nd; 55.48).

Additional Warriors who skied varsity during the regular season and were named as alternates for the State Open were junior Molly Kaeyer and sophomore Sarah Morris.

"The hours of training, both on and off snow, really paid off. It was exciting to watch the girls race and see their improvement throughout this challenging season of unusually mild temperatures,” Coach Howard said. “And to have Mother Nature grant us a snow day immediately after States shows us her sense of humor and makes us optimistic for next year.”

Wilton Boys State Open Highlights

Sophomore Connor Buchichio led the Warrior boys at States, finishing 7th overall out of 126 skiers with a combined two-run time of 44.31. He was followed by junior Daniel Zoubarev (13th; 44.99); freshman Cooper Buchichio (20th; 45.49); junior captain Harry Polito (25th; 45.96); sophomore Hudson Hagmann (26th; 45.96); junior captain Owen Theoharides (46th; 47.2); junior Finn Kaeyer (87th; 50.14); senior Jack Michael (90th; 50.2); sophomore Theo Satrazemis (95th; 50.56); and junior Jack Kelly (130th; 59.68).

Also skiing varsity during the regular season and selected for States (but could not attend) was junior Max Mirota. Alternate Theo Satrazemis raced in his place. Freshman Kieran Wiseman served as a States alternate as well.

Mike Krudwig, Wilton boys coach, said: “This season definitely had its challenges but both our varsity and JV boys kept charging the race courses and pulling off podium wins. I can’t be more proud of my team and my athletes. We have built a great foundation for another winning season next year.”

Complete team results may be found at cislracing.org.

Wilton High 2023 Ski Team (Varsity and JV)

Boys: Harry Polito (captain); Owen Theoharides (captain); Henri Allemand; Mason Behar; Connor Buchichio; Cooper Buchichio; Hudson Hagmann; Finn Kaeyer; Jack Kelly; Aiden Krystoff; Jack Michael; Max Mirota; Anup Pilla; Theo Satrazemis; Ray Slough; Will Soucy; Kieran Wiseman; and Daniel Zoubarev

Girls: Samantha Mims (captain); Sloane Sullivan (captain); Emmy Ash; Phoebe Bragg; Mia Cawley; Charlotte DiNapoli; Maggie Dugan; Alexa Furst; Molly Kaeyer; Claudia La Orden; Paige Leung; Darien Lilly; Sarah Morris; Gabby O’Meara; Kellogg Pettibone; Georgia Polito; Polina Popova; Ava Ray; Bella Ray; Kate Rusin; and Lyla Theoharides

Team managers: Lora Stanicheva and Brooke Ulehla