Two seasons after graduating from Carrabassett Valley Academy, Jeremy Cota has reached his goal of qualifying for a spot on the U.S. Ski Team. Last weekend at the final NorAm competition of the year, Cota was in a pretty comfortable position. He was the overall point leader coming into the dual mogul competition. If he made it down the course he was the NorAm Grand Prix winner solidifying his spot on the team. The story's intrigue came when Cota was bracketed to dual fellow CVA alumni and current Ski Team member, Dave DiGravio for 1st and 2nd place.

In his senior year at CVA, Cota proved his mogul prowess at Junior Olympics when he stepped onto the top of the podium in both single and dual moguls. That same year he also qualified to compete at Junior Worlds. And at U.S. Freestyle Championships he scored 8th in dual moguls against the U.S. Ski Team.

Last winter Cota stepped on the mogul field prepared for victory, but a nagging back injury forced him to ski less aggressively. At the final NorAm of the season he was healed enough to finish 3rd just missing the US Ski Team by one position. Earlier in the NorAm season he had a 2nd place finish in Apex, BC and a 4th place in Winter Park, CO.

With his sights then set on the 2009 season Cota moved to Steamboat, Col. where he probably spends more time on water ramps in the off season than any other mogul skier. Healthy and focused, Cota entered this season ready to tackle his quest for a coveted spot on the U.S. Ski Team. Back on the NorAm tour, Cota's success built throughout the season. Cota carried this momentum into the finals at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary where he finished third in a tightly contested single mogul event. Only .35 points separated the second through fifth place skiers.

Taking these closely contested results into dual moguls, the competition was set for an intense day. To secure the necessary results for a spot on the team, Cota needed to only ski successfully across the finish line in the finals. What happened in finals was a match-up that's been anticipated for some time. The chatter at the top of the course was a buzz with Cota taking on DiGravio. This was a CVA reunion that has played out at most levels of snowsports competition. As it should have been it was a battle to the finish line. Victory went to Cota by a mogul's length.

When asked how it feels to have qualified for the U.S. Team Cota stated, "It feels great, I put a lot of time and energy into it and now it has finally paid off. CVA played a huge role in my success by helping me focus my energy in the right directions. The freestyle program was the perfect combination of a rigorous training schedule and a helpful coaching staff. After I left CVA I was able to take the training attitude I developed and continue to improve."