READFIELD -- A genuine belief in her abilities helped push Maranacook Community School junior Emily Harriman to the top of the standings in Nordic racing competition this winter.

Harriman exploded at a crucial juncture in the season, posting four top-four finishes in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference and Class B championships.

Throughout the season, Harriman showed signs of making a break from the pack with exceptional bursts of speed and stamina that produced several impressive finishes during the regular season. Peaking at the right time, however, played a major role in the Black Bear girls team effort to finish third at the Class B state meet.

"Mentally my racing definitely got better this season," Harriman said. "Physically I was in good shape, but I had to learn how to get through the tough parts of the race."

One of Harriman's top efforts this season came in the KVAC freestyle championships at Black Mountain in Rumford, where skiers are confronted by a long uphill battle in the middle of the course.

On that day, she attacked the course, blowing away her competitors with a five-second margin of victory.

"Emily really came into her own as a Nordic skier this year," Maranacook Nordic Steve DeAngelis said. "She has begun to believe in her own abilities as a skier."

For her efforts, Harriman has been named the Kennebec Journal Girls Nordic Skier of the Year. Also considered for the award was Black Bear teammate Jen Monsulick.

Harriman's breakthrough season did not go unnoticed, serving as an inspiration for her teammates as they worked to reach a new level of excellence. Her example on the course and in practice sessions provided the example for others to follow.

"Emily is highly respected by her teammates because she is one of the best skiers around, but competes with great humility," DeAngelis said. "As good as she has been this year, the potential is there for even more as she adds to her training base this summer."

It was those same teammates who encouraged her to join the Nordic team in the seventh grade giving her the first taste of competition on snow. Five years later, Harriman has developed into one of the top Nordic racers in Maine, helping the team capture the Eastern High School championships last weekend in Stowe, VT.

"I never really thought I would be very good," Harriman said. "I'm just happy to be able to ski with my friends and do the training."

After her successes this season and a taste of the high level of competition at the Eastern High School championships, Harriman is planning on training more in the summer time for competition her senior year.

"There are a lot of things I still need to work on," she said. "I plan on working more in the summer, I have my own expectations and I'll see how that goes."

Emily Harriman, Maranacook, KJ Nordic Girl Skier of the Year

KVAC -- 4th C, 1st F

Class B -- 4th C, 4th F