All year, especially during the winter, Lake Placid welcomes many different athletes through the different sports and this weekend will be no different. For the 40th year, the Adirondacks will be hosting the 2020 Empire State Winter Games.
(Graphic: Northwood Athletics)
According to the Empire State Winter Games website, the sporting event brings together athletes from across New York State and beyond. With athletes from over fifteen states and three countries competing in over thirty winter sports.
The Olympic hills, tracks, jumps, and rinks are all ready for all the athletes, including twenty-three Northwood students who are getting ready to compete. Northwood will be represented in three sports: alpine skiing, bobsledding, girls’ hockey, and ski jumping.
Gabby Cote ‘21 is one of the many student-athletes representing Northwood. She and many of her teammates will be racing in all three ski races, the Super G, the GS, and the Slalom. “I’m very excited. As a FIS racer, these [Empire State Games] races are more laid back and feel more like a training session,” said Cote. “I always did these as a kid and I always look forward to having a fun weekend doing them with my friends,” she added.
(Graphic: Northwood Athletics)
Elise Loescher ‘21 is one of only two ski jumpers at Northwood. She reflected on this upcoming weekend. “I’m excited to have a competition on my home hill because it gives me an advantage,” said Loescher, “and there is a sense of confidence it gives you, so I am feeling good for this competition.” Loescher will be competing in the jumping competition, which is a Junior National Qualifier.
Also competing are three bobsledders. Kip Morgan ‘20 and Charlie Purcell ‘21 are both new to the sport, while Braelyn Tebo ‘20, who is teamed up with former Northwood student Maddy Cohen, is a veteran Empire State Games competitor.
(Graphic: Northwood Athletics)
Adria Tebo ’23 will also compete in girls hockey with her U14 SaraPlacid Lakers youth hockey team.
Northwood athletes travel globally for their sports and the Northwood athletes competing in the Empire State Winter Games are looking forward to competing on home ground.
With over 2,000 athletes competing this weekend, Lake Placid is ready to welcome all when the games will begin on Friday, January 31.
