READFIELD -- Entering his senior year, Sean Vallant realized Maranacook Community School's Alpine team would need to work harder and put in more gate time than usual. The Black Bears were loaded with young, inexperienced talent looking for an opportunity to learn and become better.

Vallant, one of the top technical skiers in the central Maine area, jumped at the chance to help his younger teammates develop, setting a positive example on the slopes during practice and at meets.

His efforts helped to catapult Maranacook to a successful season, culminating in an overall second-place finish for the Black Bear boys team at the Class B state meet.

"Sean has worked hard this season to not only ski a fast line, but to do so consistently, run after run," Maranacook Alpine coach Ronn Gifford said. "This has provided a great example and leadership to the team as a whole."

Along the way, Vallant managed to turn in several quality individual performances, as well, earning a fifth-place finish in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference giant slalom championships, followed by two top-15 finishes in the Class B state meet.

For his leadership qualities and success on the ski slopes this winter, Vallant has been named the Kennebec Journal Boys Alpine Skier of the Year. Also considered were Sam Pelletier of Maranacook, Colby Laflamme of Winthrop and Max Newton of Kents Hill.

Vallant relished the chance to step into a leadership role with the Black Bears, often tossing aside individual honors by showing teammates the benefits of team skiing and completing two runs successfully.

"I loved being out there with the whole team," Vallant said. "Each one of our teammates improved so much this season, it made it fun."

Early in the season, Vallant realized his role on the team and started to become more involved at practices and during meets by helping set gates or picking up equipment after practice was completed. Anything to show the younger skiers on the team the importance of working together.

"I like setting the example," Vallant said. "Being at practice and helping my teammates was part of being a good example for them to see."

Vallant's talents also were a prime motivator for his teammates to emulate while racing through gates. His uncanny ability to ski an extremely tight line while moving rapidly down the hill is worth watching and taking notes on.

"Sean's ability to run a tight line and stay balanced have been his trademarks to extremely fast times," Gifford said. "Sean has had an outstanding high school skiing career, while culminating it with a strong senior year."

Sean Vallant, Maranacook, KJ Alpine Boy Skier of the Year

KVAC -- 5th GS, 15th S

Class B -- 16th GS, 11th S