Westford Academy Boys Win Alpine Ski League Title

WESTFORD, MA — The Westford Academy Alpine Ski Teams ended the season with multiple wins, including the boys with the Mass Bay West League title and the girls with major strides, according to a news release. The school also placed four skiers in the top 15 of the Massachusetts Bay State West Alpha Division league individual standings.

School officials said co-captains of the boys team, Shane Cressman and Matt Wasylyshyn, set the example all season by working hard by keeping everyone’s spirits up during the freezing practices and races. Throughout the season the boys team showed consistency and strength by finishing races, according to the release.

"What really made me proud about this team was their ability to focus on getting the solid run when the pressure was on," said Coach Erik Ruhmann in a statement.

Westford secured the Massachusetts Bay State West Alpha Division League title during the last race at Nashoba.

The Murray brothers - Kyle and Tyler - brought ski racing experience to the team, were consistent top scorers all season and will be a force to be reckoned with for years in the Mass Bay West League, according to a release.

Valcourt worked hard throughout the winter and is going to be a huge part of the team’s future, according to the release.

Senior Peter Beck, junior Cole Barisano, sophomore Brendan Hughes and Freshmen Lenox Dailey also showed strong performances, they said.

Kyle Murray, who won three out of the six races, placed first in the league followed by Tyler Murray fifth, Shane Cressman sixth and Nick Valcourt 15th.

Kyle, Tyler, Cressman and Valcourt (alternate) all qualified for the MIAA State Championship race at Berkshire East on March 4.

The Westford’s girls team finished the year with strong individual results by senior Colleen Browne, senior Jessica Chevalier, senior Amanda Chevalier, senior Jamie Wolpert, sophomore Amanda Powers, and freshman Julia Kyle, according to the release.

The girls worked hard together improving their ski racing technique and having a fun and positive team climate while at the same time keeping academic standards high, the release said.

"Colleen Browne really stepped it up in the giant slalom finishing an impressive 13th overall and also qualified for the State Championship at Berkshire East" Ruhmann said in a statement.