Liam Kastrin on the podium showing off his new bling. Kastrin earned a 2nd place finish in the U19 boy’s category. Photo by Andrea Krejci
Coach Andrea Krejci and Aksel Boukhalfa after his successful debut competition at Crested Butte. Courtesy photo
By PAULA KNEPPER
Three days of competition kicked off at Crested Butte Feb. 10, 2024. Volume 1 and volume 2 of the Crested Butte IFSA Jr Regional competition featured nearly 180 athletes in the 12-14 (U15) and 15-18 (U18) age categories.
Ninety athletes under the age of 12 showed their skill and style for the judges and spectators on the Hawk’s Nest venue on the final day of competition Feb. 12, 2024.
Taos Winter Sports Team athletes competing in the U15 and U18 categories included Vivian Haigh (Los Alamos 7th grader homeschool), Lili Hart, Paxton Henry, Mara Campbell, Hank Scanlan, Cullen McLean (Los Alamos Middle School 7th grader), Seamus Campbell, Cale Barayza, Sasho McDowell (9th grader Los Alamos High School), Liam Kastrin, and Aksel Boukhalfa. Bryn Montano, Greta Schilling, and Asher Tawil competed in the U12 age category.
Taos athletes placed well during the Volume 1 of the competition. Vivian Haigh tied for the 9th place finish in the girls U15 category followed by teammate Paxton Henry in 11th place. The U15 boy’s category was stacked with talented athletes traveling all the way from Alaska and the TWST team was led by Cullen McLean earning a 4th place, Seamus Campbell in 5th place, followed by Hank Scanlan in 22nd place. Mara Campbell earned a 3rd place finish in the girls U19 category and Liam Kastrin also found a comfy spot on the podium finishing in 2nd place for the U19 boys followed by Sasho McDowell earning a 12th place finish in his first freeride competition.
Andrea Krejci reported after the competition, “Asher Tawil, a first year U12, competed in his first IFSA competition ever. Facing a very competitive field with over 40 boys, most of them being Crested Butte athletes with a home turf advantage, Asher skied a great run, finding his line, hitting all his airs, but falling right at the finish. I believe Asher is beyond ready to be part of this group of competitive U12 athletes and am so excited to see him compete in Taos, his home mountain. Bryn Montano and Greta Schilling both competed in their second IFSA competition, facing 20 other very competitive U12 ski girls. It’s so sweet to see our U12 athletes entering the “big stage” of competition and see how they are learning what competition is all about and how it works.”
Andrea Krejci head coach of the TWST freeride team said, “At Crested Butte we couldn’t be more excited to see Liam Kastrin on the podium taking second place! Mara Campbell with the bronze and in the U15 category having Cullen McLean in 4th, just 0.2 points away from the podium and Seamus Campbell in 5th. This group of kids are friends and even though they are competitors, they support, push, and admire one another. So cool to see and to be part of!”
Cale Barayza earned a 12th place finish in the U15 boy’s category and Aksel Boukhalfa earned an 8th place finish in the U19 boy’s category during his first ever IFSA competition. On the final day of competition, Greta Schilling and Bryn Montano placed 12th and 13th, respectively in a field stacked full of talented young women. Unfortunately, Asher Tawil crashed on his run.
Greta Schilling, Bryn Montano and Asher Tawil take a moment to pose prior to the competition. Photo by Andrea Krejci
Sasho McDowell and Liam Kastrin discuss their line choice at the top of the Hawk’s Nest Venue competing in the boys U19 category. Photo by Andrea Krejci
Mara Campbell smiles from her 3rd place podium perch during the IFSA Jr Regional at Crested Butte Feb. 10. Photo by Chris McLean
Vivian Haigh at the top of the Hawk’s Nest venue during her freeride competition debut. Photo by Andrea Krejci
