Stratton schools the field

By Matt Boxler

If there were a podium for winter sports academies, Stratton Mountain School would be standing firmly on the top step. And with the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver on the horizon, the Vermont campus is abuzz as several of their alumni are poised to elevate that step even higher.

Alumni from SMS are already more decorated than any other program, anywhere. Their alumni include 30 Olympians, not counting this year’s team, which will be finalized at the end of the month. They include two Olympic gold medalists, one silver medalist, a bronze medalist, and several top-10 finishers. They also include more than 81 National Team members and countless NCAA team members.

As the first academy of its kind to be accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, SMS is a college preparatory school with about 120 students enrolled in grades 7-12. Their athletic focus is on four winter sports: alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, Nordic skiing and snowboarding.

The snowboarding program has been particularly successful in recent years – from the top down. Mike Mallon, program director, is the 2009 recipient of the U.S. Ski and Snowboarding Association (USSA) Westhaven Award, the most prestigious USSA award for a technical delegate in any discipline.

Throughout the 2008-2009 season, Mallon served as a USSA/FIS technical delegate at events around the world. Mallon continues to be actively involved in the snowboarding community outside of the SMS Snowboarding Program. In addition to his work as a technical delegate, he serves as a Chairman on the U.S. Snowboarding Sport Committee and is a member of the USSA Board of Directors. He is also a nine-time FIS World Junior Team head coach in alpine snowboarding and snowboardcross.

During his tenure at SMS, Mallon has placed eight athletes on the national team, and will likely add an Olympian or two during the Vancouver Games.

Under his leadership, the SMS snowboarding program was honored as the USSA’s 2009 Snowboarding Club of the Year. His staff includes head coaches Ian Kirk (Elite), Scotty Johnston (Pro-Am), Dave Redden (Development) and Mike Sullivan (Assistant Development).

Mallon recently took some time out of training with his staff and student-athletes at Copper Mountain in Colorado to talk with New England Ski Journal about the SMS program, its athletes and the upcoming Winter Olympic Games:

NESJ: Tradition has to start somewhere. What is it about the Stratton Mountain School that has made (and continues to make) it such a prestigious draw for some of the country’s most talented riders?

MM: “I think our track record speaks for itself. We have placed more snowboard athletes on national teams than any other program. This tradition comes with its share of challenges. We are constantly trying to better our program through coaches’ education and providing the most up-to-date training experiences for our athletes.

At the same time, we need to be aware of all levels of athletes in our program. Each athlete has his/her own version of success and it is very important that we are able to cater to all goals related to their snowboard competition.”

NESJ: In an “Olympic Year,” is there a palpable difference around the Stratton Mountain School campus? Can you describe what it’s like - for current student-athletes and coaches?

MM: “This Olympics, we only have one current athlete who will be actively involved in Olympic selection, Jackie Hernandez (class of 2010), who will be competing in the Telluride World Cup (Dec. 17-20), which is the second SBX qualifier. We do, however, have two recent graduates, Ellery Hollingsworth and Lizzy Beerman (2009), in addition to more than 10 other alumni who are possible selections.

As alumni secure spots, the spirit of the games and the excitement around campus will become more apparent. In 2006, we had two seniors who were right in the mix, Danny Davis and Louie Vito. During that time, Louie’s and Danny’s academia were postponed for the winter months to allow them to best prepare for the selection period.

During the selection events and competitions, the entire campus closely monitored every moment. During the final event, the majority of the boarding students gathered in the student lounge to watch the final runs on TV. Danny and Louie ended up finishing 5th and 8th, respectively, and it was an exciting time right down to the last event. The U.S. fielded four men in Halfpipe on the 2006 Torino team.

For the students at home – in all disciplines, not just snowboarding – the reality of attaining their individual goals becomes very clear. They watched their teammates, the ones they trained side by side with all fall, compete at the highest possible level in their sport. It excites our athletes to think that all year, they trained with, took their meals with, and shared classrooms with Olympians. It encourages the athletes around SMS to work that much harder. It’s a cool process; kids feed off of the energy of one another other.

NESJ: Do you (and staff) keep in close contact with your alumni, particularly the ones who have experienced the most success on the national and world competition stage?

MM: “We maintain relationships with most of our past athletes regardless of individual success.  We try to instill a love of our sport and there are bonds formed that continue to serve these athletes even when they are out on their own or with the national team.

Oftentimes, athletes will communicate with us in times of need or when things are going exceptionally well. It’s nice when they call just to catch up and say hi, but it is also welcomed when they need advice or just want to say thanks.”

NESJ: Who (with SMS roots) are you looking at to make waves in Vancouver?

MM: “It all comes down to selection and who makes the team. The U.S. snowboard selection process is very intense and it will produce the most prepared team to have a shot at the podium in Vancouver. Of those selected, all will have a shot—the process is that specific and in the past has proven to be successful.

Obvious forerunners with potential to make the team (in halfpipe) are alums Louie Vito, Danny Davis, Ellery Hollingsworth and Lizzy Beerman. Also past SMS attendees (left before graduation) Luke Mitrani, Jack Mitrani, Kendall Brown for New Zealand, and a few others.

For snowboardcross, Lindsey Jacobellis is an obvious choice. Also in the hunt and on a short list of riders invited for qualification are Ross Powers, Alex Diebold and Jackie Hernandez. Lastly, in parallel giant slalom, Josh Wiley is in close contention for a spot on the PGS roster for Vancouver and is currently competing on the World Cup."