Carrabassett Valley Academy announces 2016-17 coaching staff

By Published On: September 25th, 2016Comments Off on Carrabassett Valley Academy announces 2016-17 coaching staff

Carrabassett Valley Academy (CVA), a year-round ski academy in Maine and USSA 2016 Club of the Year, has announced its alpine coaching staff for the 2016-17 season.

“Along with his role as alpine program director, Kraig Sourbeer will serve as the head men’s U19 coach,” said Kate Punderson, Head of School. “Kraig’s ability to develop athletes to their highest potential at the regional, national and international level is well proven, and he is excited to bring his recent six years of experience at Burke Mountain Academy to the CVA boys. A USSA level 500 coach and former World Cup competitor, Kraig is bringing a wealth of personal and professional experience to CVA.”

In addition to Sourbeer, CVA has worked hard over the years to put together a strong coaching staff to help develop their athletes.

“We conducted several national coach searches and connected with dozens of highly qualified candidates,” Sourbeer stated. “The result of this process is a team of diverse professional coaches who all share a passion for education, ski racing, and a model of coaching that emphasizes individual commitment to the process, total support of the athlete, and motivating the athletes to believe in themselves and have fun. I am proud that the following coaches will be joining us.”

Chip Cochrane will return to work with the U19 men. With 30 years of coaching experience, Cochrane has been at Carrabassett Valley Academy for over 20 years. Chip was a U.S. Ski Team member from 1978-1983 and coached current U.S. Ski Team athletes Bode Miller and Sam Morse during their CVA days.

Kevin Eccles, former national team coach, will be the head women’s U19 coach. Eccles brings 24 years of coaching experience around the world to CVA. Since 2005, Eccles has been living full-time in Europe, immersing himself in the European ski racing culture and coaching from the club to the elite level.

Mark Archer, affectionately known as “Speedy”, will be the assistant women’s U19 coach. Over his 35-year coaching career, Archer has found himself inside many World Cup, NorAm and FIS-level venues. In addition to working with the women’s program, Archer will be assisting all alpine coaches and athletes with equipment.

Ron Bonnevie will be the CVA alpine weekend program manager and head U14 coach. Bonnevie brings with him 38 years of alpine coaching experience, a level 500 USSA coaching certification and PSIA level 2 certification.

Jonathan Wagner will be the assistant U14 coach. Wagner has coached alongside Bonnevie for the past 5 years and is eager to share his love and knowledge of ski racing with CVA’s U14s this year.

Jeff Beauregard will serve as the head men’s U16 coach. Jeff has 12 years of coaching experience with the CVA program and holds a USSA Level 200 certification. He has a genuine passion for skiing and ski racing, which he naturally shares with his athletes. Beauregard will be assisted this year by John Tyler.

Emilie Garand will serve as head women’s U16 coach. Garand graduated from Carrabassett Valley Academy in 2010 and went on to compete in the USCSA division for four years while earning her Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. As a student athlete with a degree in exercise science, Emilie understands how the work done in the gym correlates to results on snow.

Cheryl Rowland will be the assistant women’s U16 coach. Rowland has been involved with CVA alpine programs for 15 years. She has a USSA Level 200 certification and competed for four years on the Division 1 Bates College Alpine Ski Team.

Press release from Carrabassett Valley Academy

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