Barlow Ski Teams Take Fifth, Sixth in Class S

Despite warmer than usual temperatures and rain earlier in the week, the Joel Barlow High ski teams were still able to take to the slopes for the final race of the season.

The Falcons were among 25 teams in all to gather at Mount Southington on Thursday, Feb. 29 for the State Open. Posting some of their fastest times of the season, the Falcon girls posted a total time of 313.21, good for fifth among Class S schools.

Fairfield was the overall winner with 279.51, less than a second ahead of runner-up Hand of Madison with 280.24. Ridgefield took third with 284.92.

As she has often done this season, Ava Kulikowski led the way for Barlow and was the only skier for her team in the top 20. A combined time of 46.85 earned her 18^th overall.

Just 0.02 second separated Helena Zima and New Canaan’s Lucy Paine. The former finished behind the later in 48.87 for 37th.

It was also a close call between Barlow and another New Canaan skier. In this case, Lucille Zima was just 0.02 second after Ella Schwartz in 51.91.

Taking 73^rd, Gabby Boehlert finished in 52.52. Also finishing in the top 100, Ruby Ludwig was 92^nd in 55.58.

Barlow had two skiers finish in succession. Completing the scoring for her team, Katherine Stowell was 101^st in 57.58, a half a second and one spot ahead of Na’ama Klein.

Two places later was Hailey Watson in 59.09. Sophia Boehlert followed in 61.3 for 109^th. Sophia Peterson completed the slate for Barlow in 62.38 for 113^th.

The Barlow boys also faced a tough field of competitors. With a 316.32, they were sixth among Class S schools, including Weston, which was also the overall winner in 277.76.

Luke Mutuski posted the Falcon’s best time. Coming in at 50.52, he was 74^th.

Back-to-back finishes came from Jack Gustavson and Tom Colby. The former was 87^th in 51.71 and the latter was right behind him 0.30 second later.

It was a close call for 89^th. Ridgefield’s Brett Zeyer was just 0.01 second ahead of Andrew D’Amaro, who was 90^th in 52.05.

Next was Matt Luca in 54.68 for 105^th. Two places later, Christian Jhilal completed the scoring for his team in 55.35, 0.01 ahead of Ridgefield’s Jesse Hisiger.

Also skiing for Barlow, Sebastian Cowles took 110^th in 55.72. Barrett Commisso was 120^th in 59.44 and Nate Dyar also skied for Barlow with a 62.99 for 123^rd.