Barbara Lawlor, Nederland

All of Nederland can be proud of the superb Colorado State Championships Ski Awards Banquet put on by the Nederland Middle Senior High School Friday night.

It has been 20 years since Nederland hosted the event, and although few people remember that one, this year's event will be long remembered by all who attended.

NMSHS Athletic Director Jack Taylor says that at least 80 volunteers worked the banquet both days, some of them showing up for both. That is not to mention the preparation for the event, which included over 500 athletes, their families, coaches, athletic directors from all 14 schools, as well as Nederland and Boulder parents and townspeople.

Huge State Championship banners were hung about the school as glittering snowflakes dangled from the ceiling and sparkled in the windows. In the gym, tables filled with glitter and bronzed ski boots greeted the guests as they found a place to sit, to put down their plates piled high with tomato cream tortellini, salad, rolls and dessert. Pasta Js catered the event and kept the food coming for the hungry skiers.

While the diners were finishing up their meal, teacher and football coach Aaron Jones and a talented bunch of videographers presented a film they had made throughout the two days of racing. The Ned Panther was featured dancing on the slopes and frolicking in the snow, now and then showing his (or her) fangs to the audience.

The video captured racers rounding a gate, taking off in the Nordic mass starts and clowning for the camera. As the viewers recognized their teammates, loud cheers went up from various points throughout the gym. All of the skiers took part in the celebration.

After the usual welcomes and thanks, Ned's athletic director Jack Taylor introduced two former skimeisters from 1944 and 1945 from Steamboat Springs who described how brutal the life of a skimeister was, how difficult to race in four events all season long. A skimeister competes in both Nordic events and both Alpine events, working the training around a busy schedule of classes and other activities.

The skimeister awards were presented, with Nederland senior Bailey Kuechenmeister taking first place, earning the large gold trophy that goes to the winner. Previous Nederland skimeister champions include Sandy Betters in 2000 and 2001, Jessica Hadford in 2006 and 2007, and Dayna Larsen in 2010.

But winning the championship is just one small part of Kuechenmeister's ski career. This is the third time she has won the trophy, an extraordinary accomplishment, with only one other skier winning back-back-back championships.

She was lauded for her accomplishments on and off the slopes, maintaining a 4.0 average as well as being part of the State Championship Cross Country team and a five-sport athlete in her senior year. She is also an outstanding role model to all students.

Team awards for accomplishment over the season were presented. The Ned girls were Colorado High School Ski League Slalom Champions, for points earned in all seven races this season. They beat out Aspen and Summit County.

Bailey Kuechenmeister was named All-State in the Nordic Classic category, which means she was in the top five. She was also named All-State, along with Raina Galbiati, in the Giant Slalom; and All State in the Slalom, along with Keile Kropf and Raina Galbiati.

Keile Kropf, and Sophie Defries were named for the CHSSA Awards in the slalom. Owen Foster was named All-State in the slalom.

NMSHS Athletic Director Jack Taylor says the whole event was a success, with him never having to say "I'm sorry"; with both races ending not just on time but about a half an hour early and the banquets ending at 8 p.m., instead of the usual post-9 p.m., enabling teams from as far away as Aspen to get home at a reasonable hour.

Taylor said "This event was such a huge success I hope we are able to do it again in less than 20 years this time. Also, our ski team does well every year and I hope that more Nederland kids join. Right now, the Ned kids are about 11 out of 40, the majority of the skiers coming from other schools in the district."

After an evening of food, fun, and medals, the teams from all over the mountain communities headed home, ready to begin spring things, already thinking of next year.