"All of this with only one season of Alpine racing," Maranacook Alpine coach Ronn Gifford said. "This is truly a testament to Jen's talent and dedication to her skiing whether it be sliding up hills on Nordic skis or down hills on her Alpine skis -- it is the thrill of gliding over frozen water as fast as possible that motivated her throughout the season."

For her outstanding abilities and leadership qualities, Monsulick has been named the Kennebec Journal Girls Alpine Skier of the Year. Also considered were Maranacook teammates Kayla Brown and Kathryn Dutile.

Monsulick quickly found out that training for the skimeister events is difficult. On many occasions, she scurried to the Alpine slopes at Kents Hill to train on gates after finishing an exhaustive workout on the Nordic trails.

"It is so different going through gates," she said. "Both our Alpine coach (Gifford) and Nordic coach (Steve DeAngelis) were very supportive and told me to go for it."

Added DeAngelis: "I was not at all surprised when Jen decided to compete as a skimeister this year and then proceeded to turn herself into one of the best all-around skiers in Maine in only one year. That is an amazing accomplishment."

Competing as a skimeister takes its toll during championship events, as well, when competitors typically ski a giant slalom on the first day followed by a slalom race and freestyle event on day two, then concluding with a classical race on day three.

"When you finish, you are beat and so tired," Monsulick said. "When I think about the season, I realize it was really worth it, and I would encourage more people to try becoming a skimeister."

Jen Monsulick, Maranacook, KJ Alpine Girls Skier of the Year

KVAC -- 22nd GS, 25th S, 8th C, 8 F (1st Skimeister)

Class A -- 18th GS, 49th S, 7th C, 5 F (3rd Skimeister)