Pictured is the 2009/10 Mt. Abram Nordic team. They are (front row, left to right) Molly McCafferty, Brian Lambert, Holly Thomas, (middle row) Coach Sally Bean, Nick Carlton, Trent Rosenberg, Annah Houston, Aiden Drumstas, Sadie James, Nola Dixon, Lizzie Chenard, Delani Littlefield, Eric Mitchell, (back row) Jake Carlton, Jat Chenard, Silvan Kindinger, Phil Coffren, Devin Littlefield, Kyle Matthews and Coach Buzz Bean. (Lori Littlefield photo) SALEM -– The boys’ and girls’ Mt. Abram Nordic Ski teams had much to celebrate coming off a year where they had lost a large group of athletes due to graduation. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams were Mountain Valley Champions. The girls’ celebrated an MVC Overall Championship with the girls’ alpine team. MTA sent two skiers who qualified for the J2 Championships in Jackson, N.H. and three qualified for the Eastern High School Championships in Gunstock.

Roadrunners Jake and Nick Carlton were first and second alternates for the EHSC’s.

MTA’s Nola Dixon, Holly Thomas and Sadie James qualified to ski with the best in the nation in the eastern championships. James and Trent Rosenberg qualified to ski against the best 14- and 15-year-olds in the east.

“I think this was a very special group of kids who were fun to be around and we had a lot of fun at practice,” said MTA Nordic coach Buzz Bean. “It had it ups and downs, but the kids made solid progress. We lost a lot of kids to graduation but others really stepped up this season.”

In some senses, Nordic skiing is a fair sport, Bean explained. “If you put the time in you will get results. You will not get results you want if you don’t put the time in.”

As we often here from Coach Bean, “ski races are won in the summer.”

Now that the season has come to an end, Bean was asked in fun to reflect back and provide two descriptive words or phrases which best describe some of his team members. Call it, Bean’s buzzwords.

For Aidan Drumstas: “Fun-loving and talented. Aidan is just having a lot of fun out there. He’s experimenting in his first year what most kids can’t do or try to do until their second year.”

Annah Houston: “Grit and physicallytough. Annah brings such focus when she skis by you. It’s ‘game on,’” Bean said.

Brian Lambert: “Respect-deserver and hard-worker. He worked hard and you just have to respect him. Brian just loves to ski and is in it for all the right reasons.”

Delani Littlefield: “Enthusiastic and fun-loving. Delani is on the edge of taking the plunge for what she needs to do. She is very fun to be around and brings a lot of personality to the team.”

Devin Littlefield: “Enthusiastic and exuberant. Devin is always right on my butt and clicking my heels to push me to go faster.”

Eric Mitchell: “Hardworking and unselfish. Eric really helps a lot of people and does stuff to help me. That’s a good trait for a kid to have.”

Holly Thomas: “Determined and optimistic. Holly has found her sport and has tremendous potential. I’ve never had a kid who has picked it up so quickly.”

Jake Carlton: “Student-of-the-sport and analytical. Jake thinks a lot about things then figures them out in ways to be more efficient.”

Jay Chenard: “Athletic and technicallygifted. Jay just loves to be on the snow and is very coachable.”

Kyle Matthews: “Physically-gifted and determined. Aerobically he can run and he’s built like a horse. He’s really come a long way and is physically gifted.

Lizzie Chenard: “Quietly-determined and lives-for-the-downhill. This is a trait that’s lacking in college cross country racers. Lizzie has it.”

Molly McCafferty: “Upbeat and positive. Molly is always smiling and happy and always looks to help others out. She just has a great perspective on life.”

Nick Carlton: “Quietly-determined and observant. It’s a sport where you need to watch what others are doing well. Nick does a great job with that.”

Nola Dixon: “Intrinsically-motivated and selfsecure. Nola had a great time and a great year. She is in it for all the right reasons.”

Phil Coffren: “Life-of-the-party and overcomer of-adversity. Most kids give up with the type of injuries Phil had, but he was optimistic and rode it out. He persevered.”

Sadie James: “Focus and determination. Sadie will be fun to watch in years ahead. She knows what she needs to do and will do it.”

Sylvan Kindinger: “Athletic and potential. Let’s put it this way, I’d love to have him back next year. He’s naturally athletic.”

“Trent Rosenberg: “Fun-loving and kinesthetically gifted. Trent is just a great person to be around and brings his enjoyment and positive attitude to the sport everyday.”