Heading into the winter, Winthrop High School senior Joel Walker realized this skiing season would be more about individual efforts than about the team. Five key skiers from last year either graduated, transferred to another school or opted to play another sport.

Walker, however, didn't drift very far from his young teammates and instead drew on his natural leadership ability to mentor the Ramblers' younger skiers.

His strength, coupled with a superb effort by the Nordic team, helped Winthrop to a second-place overall finish at the state Class C championship meet.

"His leadership didn't change," said Winthrop coach Scott Walker, Joel's Dad. "He knew the year would be more about individual results than team, but he worked hard to change that."

Leading by example, Walker collected his first-ever career win in the giant slalom race at Big Rock in Mars Hill. He followed that the next day with a second in the slalom, giving his teammates something to shoot for.

For his efforts, Walker has been named the Kennebec Journal Boys Alpine Skier of the Year for the second consecutive year. Also considered were Sean Vallant and Casey Coyne of Maranacook.

"Early in the season I was frustrated that I couldn't win a race," Walker said. "I was happy when it finally came at the state meet, everything came together."

Walker learned during the course of the year how to focus on the race by mentally drawing a picture of the course in his head. Visualization proved a successful tactic for Walker at the Class C meet. He spent the evening before the races repeatedly reviewing how he would ski the race.

As it turned out, everything fell into place for Walker in the giant slalom, especially when the course was laid out in a design that benefitted his ability and physical strengths. Wide-open gates that were conducive to speed helped him bring home the individual title.

"The way I focused at the end of the year was different," Walker said. "I was more experienced and mature and I worked on reading the course."

By capturing his first-ever win, Walker showed the younger skiers on the team that they could have an impact by following his example. Winthrop received solid contributions from the rest of the team, enough to keep them in the hunt when the Nordic boys pulled off two successful races.

"We had a smaller team than the year before," Walker said. "Everyone got alone and I tried to set the example."