(December 15, 2006) - After two consecutive championship seasons in the ECSC McBrine Division, the Spartans begin a new chapter in their brief existence, as they will be competing in the ECSC Thompson Division in 2008.  With a number of talented incoming men and women, along with most of last year’s team returning, both teams look to challenge for the top spot in the ECSC Thompson Division. 

The Men's Team:
Six ECSC (Eastern Collegiate Ski Conference) All-McBrine Division recipients return from the 2007 team, which went undefeated in regular season action. Justin Schwartz (Bondville, VT/Burr and Burton), who finished third overall in the ECSC McBrine Division individual season standings by placing third or better five times, returns for his junior year. Schwartz enters the 2008 season as the all-time victories leader at Castleton, with six first-place finishes under his belt. Also returning to the Spartans is sophomore Greg Towle (Coventry, RI/Bishop Hendricken), who finished fourth for the season, while capturing his first collegiate victory at the Pico Giant Slalom. Team captain Corey Gray (North Conway, NH/Kennett), seventh in last year’s standings, returns for his senior season. Jeff Giegler (Danbury, CT/Danbury), Evan Vomacka (Belmont, NH/Bishop Brady) and Teddy Panasci (Goshen, CT/Wamogo) finished eighth, ninth and 10th, respectively in the 2007 standings and all return for their junior years. Also returning to the team is junior Shoichiro Watanabe (Tokyo, Japan/Marvelwood), who returns to action after sitting out the 2007 due to injury. Joining the group of talented returners will be several newcomers with plenty of experience to help boslter the already successful program. All bring years of USSA and/or high school racing experience with them. Willie Colt (Hanover, NH/Hanover), Corbin Daino (Hagaman, NY/Galway), Justin Garritt (Swan Lake, NY/Liberty), Brian Harvey (Kattskill Bay, NY/Lake George), Andrew Hicks (Coventry, CT/Coventry), Bart Kallgren (Burnham, ME/Maine Central Institute), Rob Moss (Wicklow, Ireland/Carrabassett Valley Academy), Crescent Remaniak (Middlebury, VT/Middlebury) and Charlie Robbins (Mendon, VT/Rutland/Plymouth State University) are expected to make major contributions to the men’s squad. 

The Women's Team:
The women’s ski team returns five ECSC All-McBrine Division recipients from last season’s championship team, which also went undefeated. Sophomore Heather Patterson (Stockton, CA/Lincoln), who found herself on the race podium five times in 2007 (including her first collegiate victory at the Pico Giant Slalom), returns and hopes to improve upon her 2nd place overall finish during her freshman campaign. Colleen Pruss (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) returns for their junior year coming off a successful 2007 season in which she finished in seventh place.  Also returning to the squad are Brenna Nolan (Pittsford, VT/Otter Valley); who finished fifth, and Lindsey Wiken (Hampden, ME/Hampden Academy); who finished sixth. Both Nolan and Wiken are returning to the team as sophomores. Also returning for the Spartans is senior team captain Catherine Schwennker (Willsboro, NY/Guilderland), who is returning to the team after sitting out the 2007 season with a knee injury. Several new faces join the lady Spartan squad in 2008.  Kaileen Balzano (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown), Madalyn Kirbach (Mendon, VT/Rutland), Stephanie Kopko (Perkiomenville, PA/Perkiomen Valley), Ellen Noordzy (Exeter, RI/Exeter-West Greenwich), and Kelsey White (Traverse City, MI/Northwestern Michigan College) all bring plenty of racing experience to Castleton and are expected to be key contributors to the 2008 team. Balzano brings four years of high school racing experience with her, while Kirbach, Kopko, Noordzy and White add years of USSA racing to Castleton.  [Archive] [Alpine Skiing Home]

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