Ridge Ski Team Finishes 2023-24 Season On High Note

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The Ridge Ski Team finished the 2023-2024 ski season on a high note led by Coach John Fico.

The last week of the season began with NJISRA Race of Champions at Blue Mountain. This race includes the NJ top 30 women and top 30 men ranked throughout the season.

Six Ridge skiers qualified for the Race of Champions: Seniors Sophie O’Connor, Kelsey Horner, Will Hockstein and Tristan Deffenbaugh; Junior Ava Alonso and Sophomore Carter Oberman.

For the Women's Combined Individual Giant Slalom (GS) and Slalom races, Ridge Senior, Sophie O'Connor placed 9th and Senior, Kelsey Horner, 20th.

Senior Will Hockstein placed 14th for Men’s Combined Individual race. Sophie, Will and Carter qualified to represent the 2024 NJ State Race Team at the US Eastern Regional High School Championship Race at Attitash, NH beginning March 6.

On Saturday, Feb. 24 and Monday, Feb. 26, NJ High School teams competed for the GS and Slalom championship at Mountain Creek in Vernon.

The Ridge Women's team placed 2nd for Slalom. The girls came back by 12 seconds to place 2nd overall combined (GS and Slalom). Senior and Team Captain, Sophie O'Connor placed 4th for Women's Slalom and 2nd for GS, Senior and Team Captain, Kelsey Horner placed 12th for Slalom. Senior and Team Captain, Will Hockstein placed 6th in men’s slalom.

"This is the nicest group of kids who worked really hard this year and it was such a pleasure to coach them. They've displayed amazing character all season. I will miss this group. I'm really proud of the entire team and I look forward to coaching a few of them at Eastern Regionals next week," said Fico.