The Sparta varsity girls ski team was one of ten teams that qualified to race in the 2021 NJISRA State Championships held at Winter 4 Kids, a two-day event. The first day of the event on Friday, Feb 12th was the Giant Slalom Competition, and the second day on Monday, Feb 15th was the Slalom competition. The combined team times from both race disciplines determine the overall State Champions. Although, the Sparta girls were not as successful at the Giant Slalom competition finishing in seventh place; it was at the slalom competition where the Sparta girls regained their mojo and raced to fourth place. When the State Championship was over, the Sparta Varsity Girls Team achieved 5th Place overall. Bravissima!
Team Captain Claudia Calafati and junior Cora Moriarty were our rock in both disciplines at States this year, leading our ski team with a first or second fastest combined finish time in each event. The top three Sparta racers at States: 1st Place - Claudia Calafati 3:06.59, 2nd Place - Cora Moriarty 3:07.06 and 3rd Place - Gabi Rodek 3:20.79. What I find most impressive, is that we did this as a team. This was a true team effort by all six varsity racers and a wonderful way to end a most prosperous season. Everyone contributed to the overall team time in one discipline race or another during the State Championships. These girls can go home proud knowing they all made a difference and they are the reason this team was on the podium all season long. Congratulations Team Sparta - Claudia, Rachel, Rylee, Cora, Madison, and Gabi.
Tenafly High School won both race disciplines and took first place overall at this year's NJISRA State Championships with a time of 11:27.61. Ridge finished second with a time of 12:12.07 and Mountain Lakes finished third with a time of 12:18.02. Sparta Girls placed 5th with a team time of 12:42.71.
To learn more about the 2021 NJISRA State Championship, check out the two recent blog articles on each Championship Race:
4TH PLACE FINISH AT SLALOM STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS & 7TH PLACE FINISH AT GS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS