Kennett's Flight Squad could be best ever; cross country teams seeking numbers

On the Nordic side of things for the Kennett High ski team, while the numbers are little thin in boys and girls cross country skiing, this could be the best ski jumping team the Eagles have ever had."I really do believe this group has the potential to be the best jumpers we've ever had," Chuck Broomhall, Eagles' head coach, said. "We have very good numbers and a lot talent. I know Chip (Henry, jumping team coach) is excited. I look for some big things from our jumpers this year."The Kennett Flight Squad figures to be led by a pair of juniors in Mike Larson and Hunter Haynes, who were among the top handful of jumpers in the Granite State last winter. They'll be joined by several experienced flyers in Darrien Shannon, Bart Cromwell, Jeff Sires, Vincent Patch, Emily Leich, one of the top female jumpers in the state last winter, Byron Gill, Peter Gsersike and Duncan Cromwell."We have some freshmen who might help us," Broomhall said. "There's also a number of freshmen girls who have said they want to try it; we'll have to wait to see if they do or not."Kennett will once again call the ski jump on the Kancamagus Highway their home this year and for at least the foreseeable future. The Conway School District is expected to take over ownership of the property after the New Year at a school board meeting.Although the team has yet to launch off the jumps this winter, the Eagles should be ready for opening night on Jan. 7 in Concord. Kennett's lone home meet will be Jan. 28 when it plays host to Concord, John Stark and Plymouth. The ski jumping state meet will be April 13 at Proctor Academy at 6 p.m.On the cross country ski front, the Eagles has been able to get out and stretch their legs in North Conway's Whitaker Woods for two weeks, but the warm weather last week coupled with Friday snow/rain/sleet may have put that effort on hold for awhile."I would have liked to have seen 8" to 10" of snow not two inches of snow and four inches of rain," Broomhall said, laughing. "... We had actually been skiing in the woods and it was pretty good."Kennett is slated to host its first race, in Whitaker Woods on Dec. 22 (1:45 p.m.) when Fryeburg Academy and Gorham High visit for a relay race. The race, of course, is weather dependent.Coach Broomhall and assistant coach Scott Lajoy do not have as many athletes as in previous years out for the sport. "We're a lot thinner than in the past," Broomhall said. "We do have a few boys, but our biggest problem may be with the girls, we're really lacking numbers."Broomhall can count on seniors Audrey Hansen, Larissa Spaulding and Cassidy Van Deursen, but beyond them there isn't a great deal of experience.For the boys, talented freshmen Peter Haine and Demitri Steesy are expected to contribute immediately for the Eagles, joining seniors Alec Leich and Bart Cromwell and sophomores Heni Sullivan, Drew Borman and Bryron Gill. The Eagles, who won four overall state championship before the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association decided to do away with that format last winter, figure to be an overall force to reckon with again this winter. "I think we'll be strong overall again this winter," Broomhall said. "... We've got a good solid base of alpine skiers, lots of talent on the jumping team, and have to wait to see what we can do with our the cross teams. We may see a few people come over from Alpine to help, which wouldn't be a bad thing."Kennett will once again host the State Meet, on Feb. 11, in Whitaker Woods at 10 a.m., and a week later, on Feb. 18, will play hosts to the Boys and Girls Cross Country Meet of Champions.