Meddaugh, Carey Top Skiers

By Frank Rizzo
NORTH CREEK — March 21, 2000 -- Eight county alpine skiers qualified to compete at the New York State skiing championships earlier this month. The top 10 boys and girls earned a trip to the northern reaches of the state — based on a combination of how they placed during the regular season and at the February 22 sectional meet.
Fallsburg/Tri-Valley’s Colleen Carey, who won five of the six regular season meets, was the Section IX champ. The rest of the county contingent, with final placement in Section IX: 2. Laura Ferranti, Monticello; 4. Samantha Tucker, Monticello; 6. Jamie Kaplan, Fallsburg/Tri-Valley; 7. Allison Benson, Monticello.
Among those who did not qualify were 12. Becky Sheerer, Monticello; 13. Lisa Castillo, Fallsburg/Tri-Valley; 19. Candice Sheerer, Monticello; 23. Tina Castillo, Fallsburg/Tri-Valley; 26. Samantha Anderman, Fallsburg/Tri-Valley.
Josh Meddaugh of Monticello led the boys’ contingent, placing third overall in Section IX behind leader Trevor Bailey of Onteora, the eventual state champion.
The other qualifiers were 7. Austin Pantel, Fallsburg/Tri-Valley; 8. Justin Diaco, Monticello; 9. Blake Levine, Fallsburg/Tri-Valley.
Those who did not qualify: 14. Jon Garfield, Monticello; 17. Brendon Pantel, Fallsburg/Tri-Valley; 19. Mike Swope, Eldred; 20. Vinnie Dollard, Monticello.
at the states: As noted, Onteora’s Bailey wound up winning the state title. Among the locals, Carey placed ninth in the slalom, the only Section IX girl to earn a medal. The slalom event was held at Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid.
The giant slalom was held at Gore Mountain in North Creek, about 30 miles north of Lake George.
Laura Ferrante had the best placement among Section IX girls, 19th. Austin Pantel was second to Bailey among Section IX boys, placing 17th.