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Farmington Freshman Earns All-Around Title at National Alpine Championships

Wyatt Queirolo looks ahead after gold-medal season

As a freshman at Farmington High School, Wyatt Queirolo may be stuck at the bottom of the totem pole, but on the slopes he can proudly call himself a man amongst boys after earning an all-around title by taking gold medals in the Super-G, Super Combined and Slalom races at the K2 National Championships in Collingwood, Ontario this March.

Queirolo, who hones his skills in the winter months at Killington Mountain School in Vermont, has displayed amazing talent as an alpine racer this season, gathering various honors in a number of competitions.

He really burst onto the scene after he won the Vermont State Championships in February by sweeping the Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G – a first for a student at the Killington Mountain School.

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“Wyatt was the first J3 boy to win all three events since 2001—and it was a first for KMS—he had a truly amazing States,” said KMS Head J3 Coach Greg Hadley. “He has been dedicated to working hard all off-season, and with his summer skiing, it paid off for him this week. He’s a pleasure to coach.”

By winning the all-around title, Queirolo was named to the Vermont Alpine Racing Association team, a distinction reserved for only those who have won state championships.

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With his thirst for success still unquenched, Queirolo managed to qualify for the Junior Olympics-Eastern Regional held from March 12 to 15. The competition was stacked as Queirolo faced off against the best alpine skiers of New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and Maine. He still placed high enough – 3rd in the Giant Slalom and 4th in the Super G – to earn the honor of representing Team USA in the Presidents Choice Canadian K2 Championship from March 22 to 26, where he performed above expectations and earned three gold medals.

What makes Queirolo’s success in Canada even more impressive is the fact that the event was nationally sanctioned and pitted him against approximately 170 13- and 14-year-old ski racers from across the U.S. and Canada, some of the toughest competition any racer of Queirolo’s age can ask for.

“Taking advantage of an early bib number in some tough conditions, Wyatt took an early lead in the Super-G and never looked back,” Hadley said after Queirolo’s first day of racing in Canada. “This was Wyatt’s first international race, and he started it right where he wanted to with the W… Just an outstanding first international showing.”

“I’ve had success in the past, but this was probably the biggest event I’ve ever been to,” Queirolo said after competing in the K2 Championships.

Although he came back from Canada with plenty of hardware, Queirolo – who was accompanied by Hadley at all the competitions he attended this winter – wanted to attend the championships just for fun, and didn’t have any expectations for himself. He’s only human though, and admitted that before his races, “yes, I was pretty nervous. I just went there hoping for top 10.”

Sometimes nerves are a sign that you’re physically and mentally ready, and Queirolo showed he was by defying even his own expectations and winning the overall title.

The Farmington resident has trained at KMS for the past three years, where he has excelled. Queirolo really started getting serious about racing while part of the Connecticut Ski Club as a young boy. Now he trains almost year-round with Hadley, who has been his coach ever since he started attending KMS.

“Greg is a great coach,” Queirolo said. “He comes everywhere with us and he’s always at the start.”

After a season of success for Queirolo, one wonders what kind of future is in store for the racer after already accomplishing so much at a national level. At such a young age, does he have what it takes to continue competing at a high level?

Queirolo will be stepping up to a higher age bracket next year, so only time can tell.

“This year I’m the oldest racer, but next year I’ll be the youngest,” Queirolo said.

Short-term challenges aside, Queirolo was asked about his long-term goal as an alpine racer. Is there any Olympic potential?

“I think that’d be pretty cool, but I can’t really plan on it,” he answered. “I’d rather just go to a good school and ski there.”

He may only be a freshman in high school, but Queirolo has the package of brains, talent and work ethic that just might propel him to the top of the alpine racing totem pole.

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