Jack Kroll

Skiers Have Their Final Race

April 15, 2025 by Jack Kroll

Just before break, Northwood’s 13 alpine skiing seniors raced in the Annual NYSEF Alumni GS. The race was followed by a ceremony to honor the NYSEF and the Northwood seniors.

Cara Dempsey ‘25 is a four-year senior at Northwood and has been with NYSEF for 11 years, including racing with NYSEF Gore, NYSEF Whiteface, NYSEF Winter Term, and finally NYSEF Northwood. Next year, Cara is attending Boston College as a member of their Division 1 ski team and studying biology. Cara says, “The race and ceremony were really sweet and made the seniors feel really appreciated. We all are going to miss this place next year so much.”

Cara Dempsey ’25 at the start of her final race for Northwood. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Teegan Wardlaw ‘25 is a four-year senior at Northwood and has been with NYSEF for 12 years at NYSEF Whiteface, NYSEF Winter Term, and NYSEF Northwood. Teegan is attending the University of New Hampshire to study business. During the race, Teegan was “realizing I was about to be in a new chapter in life.”

Teegan Wardlaw ’25 at the finish of her final race for Northwood. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Zac Wargo is a four-year senior at Northwood and has been with NYSEF for 9 years. “Northwood has been the most memorable and significant four years of my life. Northwood has provided me with the opportunity to follow my passion for ski racing at a competitive level while also allowing me to acquire a great education along the way.” Zach is undecided where he will go to college next year, but he hopes to continue skiing.

Zach Wargo ’25 at the Alumni Race. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Sydney Kuder ‘25 is a three-year senior at Northwood and has been with NYSEF for 6 years, spending 3 years at Winter Term and 3 years at Northwood. Sydney is, “still undecided on my plans for next year. I hope to ski D1 in college, and I have an offer to do so at St. Lawrence College. I am really grateful for my time at Northwood and NYSEF, and I will cherish these memories forever.”

Sydney Kuder ’25 in the start of her final race of Northwood. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Julianne Brochu ‘25 is a three-year senior at Northwood. Next year Julianne will ski D1 at Saint Michaels College in Burlington Vermont.

Julianne Brochu ’25 in the start of her final race for Northwood. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Arielle Haccoun Choquette ‘25 is a two-year senior and has been skiing with NYSEF for 2 years. Next year Arielle is attending Saint Lawerence University and skiing division 1.

Arielle Haccoun Choquette ‘25 on course for the final time at Northwood School. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Elleanore Pelletier ‘25 is a two-year senior at Northwood. Next year she plans to take a Post Graduate year at NYSEF Winterterm. Ellenore was unable to race for most of the season after sustaining a knee injury. She has spent the season rehabbing and supporting her teammates.

From left to right Julianne Brochu ’25, Natalie Gaekle ‘25, Elleanore Pelletier ‘25, Teegan Wardlaw ’25, Marie-Jeane Cazes ‘25, Sydney Kuder ’25, Arielle Haccoun Choquette ‘25, and Cara Dempsey ’25 at the finish of the race. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Charles Leduc ‘25 is a two-year senior at Northwood and has been with NYSEF for 2 years. Charles intends to attend college next year and is deciding between Queens, Babson, Clarkson, and McGill.

Charles Leduc ‘25 on course at the Alumni Race. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Luke Salibello ‘25 is a two-year senior at Northwood and has been with NYSEF for 5 years including 3 at NYSEF Winter Term and 2 at NYSEF Northwood. Next year he is going to the University of Utah to study Bio-Medical Engineering.

Luke Salibello ’25 at the NYSEF Alumni Race. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Marie-Jeane Cazes ‘25 is a first-year senior at Northwood. Midge plans to take a Post Graduate year and will be back at Northwood and skiing for NYSEF in the fall.

Marie-Jeane Cazes ‘25 ripping out the start at the NYSEF Alumni Race. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Natalie Gaekle ‘25 is a first-year senior at Northwood. “Coming to Northwood skiing I felt very out of my comfort zone. I had never done the level of skiing that athletes here had done their whole lives and I was worried about how it would work out. However the team welcomed and supported me in more ways than I could imagine. My coach Worm especially, made the transition amazing and forced me to get out of my own head and focus on my own improvements instead of others around me. I’ve learned so much in one year about the FIS alpine skiing world, tuning and prep and I feel so lucky to be able to spend my senior year with Northwood NYSEF. Being able to ski around so many amazing athletes and people has been a privilege and I feel like I’ve fulfilled a dream of mine.”

Natalie Gaekle ‘25 celebrates with teammates. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Alessandro Lacchi ‘25 is a first-year senior at Northwood and is from Italy. Due to sickness Allessandro was unable to race

Filed Under: People, Sports

Ski Jumpers Head to Poland for Continental Cup

March 20, 2025 by Jack Kroll

The Northwood NYSEF (New York Ski Education Foundation) Ski Jumping team has had a historic winter season competing in US Cups, World Junior Qualifiers, and even World Juniors. To cap off that season, student athletes Mitchel Penning ‘25 and Henry Loher ‘26 are heading to Poland to compete in a FIS (Federation of International Skiing) and, if all goes well, their first career COC (Continental Cup).

Mitchell Penning ’25

Henry Loher ’26

The large hill in Zakopane, Poland, is an HS 140, which makes it one of the largest hills in the world. The competition weekend consists of two FIS Cup competitions followed by two COC competitions. In order to compete in a COC, competitors must first score FIS Cup points, which can be done by getting in the top 30 in a FIS Cup. Mitchel ‘25 already has scored a total of 3 FIS Cup points, so he is guaranteed to compete in both FIS Cups and Continental Cups. Mitchel is “hoping for some good results” to cap off his season. Henry is expecting to score FIS Cup points, and if he does, will compete in the Continental Cups. Henry is “excited for the opportunity to compete and get some points.”

Zakopane HS 140. Photo by FIS Ski Jumping.

Filed Under: Sports

Kuder ‘25 “Experiences” Her First Alpine Nationals

March 12, 2025 by Jack Kroll

Last week, Sydney Kuder ‘25 traveled to Aspen, Colorado, to compete in U18 Nationals, which was her first time at National Championships. Before she left, we published an event preview with her, and she said her goal was to “experience it.” Here is her experience.

When Sydney arrived, she was happy that there was “really nice weather. It was 50 degrees and sunny there every single day, and I loved that. Also, the snow was really good. It was really firm, you could start really far back, and it would be the same track as the first girl.”

Sydney Kuder ’25 and fellow NYSEF teammate Denny Sebek with the Eastern Region Flag at the 2025 U18 Alpine Nationals. Photo Provided.

The weather, tied with getting to meet new people, was Sydney’s favorite part. Sydney says, “It was really cool to meet new people because I went there and didn’t really know anyone and had to make new friends.”

Sydney raced in both the Slalom and the Giant Slalom races, finishing an impressive 17^th in the Giant Slalom. Unfortunately, Sydney fell in the Slalom race, and now that hiking is no longer allowed by FIS (Federation of International Skiing), her race was over. Sydney thinks she “went into the event with too much confidence” because of her strong results that led up to Nationals. “It (her confidence) kind of messed me up, honestly. I expected to do a lot better than I actually did.”

Regardless of how Sydney raced, she “thought it was a really great experience, and I am glad I went. I think I took a lot out of it.” While racing, Sydney missed a Northwood staple event, the Winter Carnival. This year, Sydney is a senior and was a team captain. “I am very sad I missed Winter Carnival, but I had to make a choice,” and the right choice was the Nationals experience, which was “unforgettable” for her.

Filed Under: People, Sports

Husky Ski Jumpers Have Strong Results at Junior Nationals

March 5, 2025 by Jack Kroll

Jack Kroll ‘25 stands on top of the podium at U20 Ski Jumping Junior Nationals. Photo provided.

Last week, Husky Ski Jumpers Eli Larkin ‘27 and Jack Kroll ‘25 traveled to Park City, Utah, to compete in the 2025 Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Junior National Championships. After four days of jumping, the pair took home an impressive total of five medals.

Due to warm weather, open training sessions were canceled, meaning jumpers only had the three official training jumps to adjust to the new hill before competition. Kroll won two of the three official training rounds and had a jump of 69.5 meters, which would be the furthest on the hill for the week.

The first day of competition was the individual events. Kroll won an intense back-and-forth with Steamboat Springs athlete Arthur Tirone. After the first round, Jack was only ahead by two-tenths of a point. After the second round, it was announced that Arthur had won by just one point, but NYSEF coach Colin Delaney quickly realized an error in the scoring that put Jack ahead by three points, making him the 2025 U20 Junior National Ski Jumping Champion. The two athletes were left in shock after the error gave them devastation and false hope, but in the end, they shook hands and celebrated their accomplishments.

“I was really sad when they announced that Arthur had won,” Kroll said, “ and even started crying while in equipment control.” When he emerged from equipment control, his coach was waiting with the news of the error. “I was ecstatic. I felt that I had had my best jumps, and it was really fulfilling that my best was enough to take the win.”

In the afternoon, Jack competed in the Nordic Combined race, again dueling with Arthur Tirone. After a five-kilometer race, Arthur Tirone won over Jack, who took second.

Jack Kroll ‘25 on the Nordic Combined podium after finishing 2nd. Photo by Seth Rothchild Photography.

The second day of the competition was the team events. Eli and Jack were part of a four-man East Team One. Their team would place second in the team jumping event after two rounds of competition. In the afternoon, Jack competed in the Nordic Combined team event. The teams consisted of two people. Jack’s partner was fellow NYSEF (New York Ski Education Foundation) teammate Cadel Cox. They took home the win in the U20 team event, and Jack went back to back after he and his partner won it last year in Anchorage, Alaska.

Jack Kroll ‘25 and Eli Larkin ‘27 in second place for team Ski Jumping. Photo provided.

Jack Kroll ‘25 and partner Cadel Cox on top of the podium as the lead East Team in a East one three for the Nordic Combined team event. Photo provided.

Jack Kroll ‘25 at the start line of the team sprint. Photo provided.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports, Top Story

Lake Placid Ski Jumping World Cup Recap

March 1, 2025 by Jack Kroll

On the weekend of February 7 – 9, 2025, Lake Placid hosted the best ski jumpers in the world for the third annual FIS (Federation of International Skiing) Lake Placid Ski Jumping World Cup. Northwood ski jumpers had the opportunity to forerun and meet the athletes. For more on our ski jumpers at the World Cup click here.

This year marked the first time women competed in North America on the World Cup stage. In the first competition, Nika Prevc of Slovenia took home the win. She is currently the World Cup overall leader. Eirin Maria Kvandal of Norway followed just behind her in second. Rounding out the podium was our northern neighbor Canada’s Alexandria Loutitt. In the second women’s competition, Nika Prevc won again, followed by two Germans. Agnes Reisch took second, and Selina Freitag took third. For Agnes Reisch, the weekend would mark her first-ever individual World Cup podium.

Agnes Reisch after her first individual World Cup podium. Photo by FIS.

Nika Prevc after her second win. Photo by FIS Ski Jumping.

On the men’s side Norwegian Johann Andre Forfang took the win. The Austrian pair, Jan Hoerl and Daniel Tschofenig, took second and third. Northwood alum Tate Frantz finished 19^th. On the second day of competition, Daniel Tschofenig won, continuing his stellar season. He is currently the World Cup overall leader. Jan Hoerl finished second again followed by Slovenian Anze Lanisek. Tate Frantz finished 16^th.

Daniel Tschofenig after his day two win in Lake Placid. Photo by FIS Ski Jumping.

Filed Under: Sports

Husky Ski Jumpers Make History at World Juniors

February 28, 2025 by Jack Kroll

During the February mini break, Northwood Ski Jumpers Henry Loher ‘26 and Mitchell Penning ‘25 competed in the Junior World Ski Jumping Championships in Lake Placid. World Juniors is the highest level of U20 competition, where each country is given 4 spots for their best junior athletes.

Henry Loher ’26 after his first-round jump. Photo by USA Ski Jumping.

Henry stood out in the field, ranking the second highest out of any athlete born in 2008. He was the United States’ third-highest finisher in the individual competition, securing an impressive 21st overall. Mitchell struggled in the individual competition, and Canada was unable to field a team in the team event due to injury. Mitchell said he is “sad that we weren’t able to field a team this year,” and he hopes “next year we are able to.”

Northwood alum Tate Frantz got second in the individual event, missing out on the top spot by only four-tenths of a point. This is America’s second year in a row taking home the silver medal.

In the team event, Henry was part of a four-man US team that also included Tate Frantz. The current and former Huskies helped propel the United States to their first-ever medal in a Junior World team Ski Jumping event. They finished 3rd.

World Juniors male team event. Austria first, Slovenia second, America third. Photo provided.

Filed Under: Sports, Top Story

Huskies at the 2025 Lake Placid Ski Jumping World Cup

February 24, 2025 by Jack Kroll

Earlier this month, the Ski Jumping World Cup made its 3^rd annual stop in Lake Placid, New York. The World Cup is the highest level of competition in the sport, and Husky Ski Jumpers had the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the best in the world.

Jack Kroll ‘25 forerunner/forejumper credentials. Photo provided.

Four Northwood Jumpers were selected to be used as forerunners for the event. In Ski Jumping, a forerunner is a jumper that is not part of the competition whose job is to be a test jumper. Forerunners go before each round to test out the hill and help the jury determine the appropriate starting gate for the competitors. Forerunners are also used during any breaks in competition, after a hold for unsafe conditions, after crashes or any other delays. The four Northwood Jumpers selected were Eli Larkin ‘27, Henry Loher ‘26, Mitchell Penning ‘25, and Jack Kroll ‘25. They made up part of a twenty-member squad of forerunners which included several Europeans brought in for the event. The Huskies were able to outqualify several of the European forerunners, earning spots on the elite squad forerunning the men’s events.

Jack Kroll ‘25 forerunner/forejumper bib. Photo provided.

One of the unique benefits of forerunning is the chance to spend time with the competitors. On the first day, Henry Loher ‘26 was approached by Norwegian Ski Jumper and two-time World Cup overall winner Halvor Egner Granerud. Granerud asked Henry if he was “the tank” referring to his Instagram username “HanktheTank.” Granerud had seen a earlier post of Henry getting the hill record in Lake Placid and had followed him. Henry was “wondering if he would say anything to him this weekend.” Henry said he was “the tank” and had a short conversation with Granerud before his qualification jump.

To further the Granerud story, all of his bags did not show up in Lake Placid and he missed his flight. He arrived with just ten minutes to spare before qualification with no equipment. Luckily, the Ski Jumping community rallied and provided him with everything he needed. NYSEF (New York Ski Education Foundation” provided him with a helmet.

The signed helmet NYSEF let Granerud borrow. Photo Provided.

Later, Granerud shouted out his newfound friend Henry Loher on Instagram following the weekend. He posted a selfie of the two of them and then said, “Also, met the full send legend @henry_loher go check him out if you want to watch some far jumps.” Henry says he, “was shocked,” and has, “gained a ton of followers,” as a result. As former American Ski Jumper Nina Lussi pointed out in the comments this was Henry’s “welcome to the big leagues.”

Halvor Egner Graneruds Instagram post featuring Henry Loher ’26. Photo from @halvorgranerud on Instagram.

Halvor Egner Graneruds Instagram caption about Henry Loher ’26. Photo from @halvorgranerud on Instagram.

Additionally, the team had the chance to meet Daniel Tschofenig, an Austrian Ski Jumper and current World Cup overall leader. They were able to secure his “golden bib” which signifies he is the overall leader to keep in their jumproom.

From left to right Daniel Tschofenig, Henry Loher ’26, and Eli Larkin ’27. Photo provided.

Filed Under: Sports, Top Story

Humans of Northwood: Daven Linck ‘25

February 11, 2025 by Jack Kroll

“I attended Saranac Lake High School for my freshman year after attending a similar school to Northwood prior. After my freshman year, I realized I wanted something more like my old school which was more than just a school to me. It was a place that I could feel at home. I found this place at Northwood.

“I came to Northwood mainly for the skiing, and because I wanted a better community like I had before. I had some friends who went to Northwood who said the community was really good, but I was still surprised at how welcome I felt when I arrived. There are so many activities at the start of the year and throughout the year that made me feel welcome. My favorite activity at Northwood was Spring Pickle Ball. It was really a great experience.

“While at Northwood, we have worked and built a really good Nordic Program that works really well. The program has helped me mature as both a person and an athlete. I am hopeful that we get more Nordic specific skiers now that we have a good program with great coaches.

“Next year I hope to ski Division 1. I applied to Baites College Early Decision, and I should get my decision in about a month. I am going to miss the people here the most. I have developed so many special relationships with my teammates, coaches, friends, and teachers. I’ll also miss the place that has become much more than a school to me.”

As told to Jack Kroll ’25. Photo by Michael Aldridge

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Two Husky Ski Jumpers Named to Junior Worlds Teams

February 3, 2025 by Jack Kroll

Henry Loher ‘26 on the podium at World Junior Qualifiers. Photo provided.

On January 19^th, 2025, USA Ski Jumping officially announced the 2025 Junior Worlds Team, naming Henry Loher ‘26 as one of the five chosen. Canada has just announced their team and Mitchell Penning ’25 was one of the three chosen.

Junior Worlds is the highest level of U20 competition in Ski Jumping. Each country is allowed to have four competitors. Some choose to carry an alternate hence the 5-man team the US is bringing. This year, the competition will be in Lake Placid from the 11^th – 16^th of February.

Loher won all four of the Junior World qualifiers. Additionally, he set a new hill record on the HS 100M in Lake Placid with a 105-meter jump. “I am super-excited to get to compete at home,” Loher said. He also “hopes the Northwood community comes out to watch.”

Mitchell Penning ’25 (1st place on the podium). Photo provided.

Penning competed in only two of the qualifiers, both of which were held in Lake Placid. His impressive results solidified his spot on the Canadian 2025 Junior Worlds Ski Jumping Team. Mitchell also said he hopes, “the community comes out to support.”

Northwood NYSEF Ski Jumping Head Coach Colin Delaney said he “is super psyched that they are getting the opportunity to compete at the highest level of their career thus far and that it is on their home hill. They are on a team with some of the strongest US and Canadian juniors we have ever had.”

Northwood alum and USA Ski Jumping National Team member Tate Frantz. Photo by USA Ski Jumping.

The US team also sports another name that is familiar to Northwood. Tate Frantz, who attended Northwood School from 2020-2021, is competing for Team USA and is one of the favorites in the competition. He has taken two top 10 results in the World Cup so far this season and is one of—if not the—strongest jumpers attending Junior Worlds.

Filed Under: People, Sports, Top Story

Ski Jumpers Fight Off Cold Temps and Sweep Podiums in the Midwest

January 27, 2025 by Jack Kroll

Shortly after returning from winter break, Husky Ski Jumpers traveled to the Midwest to compete in the first leg of the 2025 Midwest tour. Northwood athletes Mitchell Penning ‘25, Jack Kroll ‘25, Henry Loher ‘26, and Eli Larkin ‘27 were part of a strong NYSEF (New York Ski Education Foundation) contingent that swept multiple podiums and fought off frigid temperatures.

The NYSEF Team in Ishpeming. Left to right Cadel Cox (NYSEF Winter Term), Duncan Van Dorn (NYSEF), Jack Kroll ’25, Schuyler Clapp (NYSEF), Eli Larkin ’27, Mitchell Penning ’25, and Henry Loher ’25. Photo provided.

The first stop on the tour was at the Ishpeming Ski Club in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The club has been hosting the tournament for 138 years and can draw crowds numbering in the thousands. This year, the turnout was hindered by frigid temperatures. On the first day of competition, the low temperatures and gusty winds shortened the US Cup competition to one round from the traditional two rounds. Despite the conditions, Northwood’s jumpers prevailed with Henry in 1^st, Mitchell in 2^nd, and Jack just off the podium in 4^th. Jack competed in the US Cup Nordic Combined Race the following day based on his jumps the night before, finishing 3^rd. Henry says it was “really cold,” but he is happy to “still get the win.”

NYSEF podium sweep with Northwood’s Henry Loher ’26 1st, Mitchell Penning ’25 2nd, NYSEF athlete Duncan Van Dorn 3rd. Photo provided.

On the second day of competition in Ishpeming, jumpers competed in the Paul Bietila Memorial competition. In the U20 category, Northwood swept the podium with Mitchell Penning ‘25 in first, followed by Henry Loher and Jack Kroll respectively. Eli Larkin ‘27 competed in the U16 category and took 1^st place. Following the competition, the team expected to get a couple of days of training during the week, but windchills in the –30s forced the team to move inside for weights and dryland.

Northwood swept at the Paul Bietila Memorial Competition. Mitchell Penning ’25 1st, Henry Loher ’26 2nd, Jack Kroll ’25 3rd. Photo provided.

Eli Larkin ‘27, standing atop the U16 podium. Photo provided.

The following weekend, the team drove 4 hours South to the Norge Ski Club just outside of Chicago in Fox River Grove, Illinois. This year marked Norge’s 120^th winter tournament. The tournament draws crowds as big as 10,000, although it was closer to 4 or 5 thousand this year. On the first day of competition, Mitchell took another win in the U20 class, followed by Henry in 2nd and Jack in 4^th. Eli ‘27 finished 3^rd in the U16 competition. The next day, the team capped off the trip with another sweep of the US Cup, with Henry in 1st, followed by Mitchell and Jack.

Jack Kroll ’25 and the 2025 crowd at Norge. Photo provided.

Northwood swept in the Norge US Cup. Henry Loher ’26 1st, Mitchell Penning ’25 2nd, Jack Kroll ’25 3rd. Photo provided.

The team returned to Northwood and will not be competing in the Midwest tour’s second stage, which kicks off this weekend. Instead, the ski jumpers will travel to Salisbury, Connecticut, for a US Cup and the Eastern Ski Jumping Championships.