Mountain Creek hosts qualifier Vernon - On Sunday Jan. 8, Mountain Creek hosted the season’s first New Jersey Ski Racing Association qualifier. With the help of the Skyland’s Ski Club at Mountain Creek, the race was held at the South side of the mountain on the Big Bear trail. Close to 200 athletes from three clubs - all ranging from 7 to 14 years old, competed for medals and a spot on the state team. All racers who qualify for the team can compete in United States Ski and Snowboard Association championship races against athletes from other eastern states. Athletes on the race team start training before Thanksgiving with off-snow exercises. Some travel to Canada, Maine or even out west to start skiing. Once snow comes to New Jersey, training kicks into high gear at Mountain Creek. The race program trains two nights a week and all day Saturdays and Sundays, and includes more than 100 athletes ages 7 to 19 years old. USSA certified coaches train the racers and helpthem to prefect their skills with drill progressions and in training courses used by the U.S. Ski Team. Results J3 Girls (13-15yrs) 1) Brianna Kullberg 2) Haley Merrit 3) Stephanie Beneducci J3 Boys (13-15yrs) 1) Robert Artsma Jr. 2) Ricky Beneducci 3) Andrew Osarczuk J4 Girls (11-12yrs) 1) Emma Kattermann 2)Emliy Burke 3) Ali Ficthler 4) Olivia Erdman 5)Allison Dethmers J4 Boys (11-12yrs) 1) Patrick Burke 2) Trevor Kahl 3) Tom Wiley 4) Connor Reynolds 5) Dusty Pribor J5Girls (10-under) 1) Darby Smith 2) Brielle Antonelli 3) Kerri Paliwoda 4) Briannah Larson 5) Lindsay Muhs 5Boys (10-under) 1) Gavin Hyer 2) Kei Kullberg 3) Ross Antnchak 4) Thomas Gillespie 5) Micheal Cappola For more information, call 973-827-3900 ext 8177 or visit www.mountaincreek.com.