03/25/2009
enlargefrom the Kennebec Journal
QUESTIONS REMAIN
No complaints from those who switched to Somerset County center
Vote on 1 may hurt some in election
Steeple at center of debate in Whitefield
VETERANS REQUIRE ASSISTANCE: Homelessness takes center stage
J.P. DEVINE: Overcome sadness with hope
BASKETBALL: NBA Hall of Famer Barry doles out advice at Thomas College
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY: Maranacook sophomore Mace dominates Class B field
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
A year later, families await answers on fatalities
Owner of topless coffee shop on the comeback trail
Officials report cheaper, better service after switch
Two people in critical condition
Young Marines stick to program
Issue of homeless veterans at center stage
GIRLS SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Winslow falls to York in Class B
Bard hits her marathon stride
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
Correspondent
Lauren McHatten had struggled with ski racing since her first attempt in the sixth grade. Now a junior at Winthrop High School, McHatten decided it was time to let loose on the slopes.
As the only girls Alpine skier on the team, McHatten knew a mistake would only hurt her individually and not impact the team.
The new approach paid its biggest dividends in the final meet of the season: The Class C state championship.
"I tried harder than I have any other year," McHatten said. "I went all out and as fast as I could. I knew if I didn't it would haunt me, and I wanted to ski off the course with no regrets."
A week after finishing 12th in the giant slalom and sixth in the slalom at the Mountain Valley Conference championships, everything came together for McHatten. She finished second in the giant slalom and third in the slalom at the state championship meet.
"I have always been trying to put it together," McHatten said. "Racing was like a mystery to me."
For her outstanding effort at the state meet, McHatten has been named the Kennebec Journal Girls Alpine Skier of the Year.
"Lauren has worked really hard at her skiing," said Maranacook Community High School coach Ronn Gifford, who worked with McHatten at the Kents Hill School ski training facility. "She is truly determined to be one of the best, and she loves to ski."
According to McHatten, she was on skis when she was 2 and began ski racing in the sixth grade. She readily admits enjoying the thrill of racing but found it difficult to figure out the best way to approach whole skiing racing idea.
"I enjoyed it right from the beginning, the rush in the start gate and knowing I was going to go fast was fun," she said.
McHatten credits a lot of her success to first-year Winthrop coaches Doug and Bennett Guerette. The brothers approached skiing with different techniques and strategies that helped the members of the Winthrop team ski more relaxed.
"They brought a lot of new coaching strategy to the team, it helped me ski more relaxed on the course," McHatten said. "They did a good job of helping us have fun, but also realizing when to give your best effort."
McHatten was recently named to the Maine Alpine team that competed in the Eastern High School Championships. She skied with and against the best high school skiers from Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York in meets at Cannon Mountain, N.H.
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