i GIRLS NORDIC SKIER OF THE YEAR: Cougars' Aseltine lives out dream
Morning Sentinel
GIRLS NORDIC SKIER OF THE YEAR: Cougars' Aseltine lives out dream
BY DAVID MCLAUGHLIN Correspondent Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 03/24/2009

FARMINGTON -- As a young skier, Shelby Aseltine loved the moments when she could stand along the Nordic trails at Titcomb Mountain, cheering for the Mt. Blue High School team as they flew by. Now a sophomore at Mt. Blue, she still cherishes those moments and uses them as inspiration.

In the fourth grade, Aseltine was a member of the Farmington Area Ski Team, which took time out from practice sessions to cheer on the Cougars during home meets. Her eyes gleamed, knowing exactly what she wanted to accomplish.

"When you're young, you have a lot of influences," Aseltine said. "There were so many great skiers at Mt. Blue at the time and I wanted to be just like them."

After a solid freshman season, Aseltine went to work to become a better skier, focusing on his finishes. As a sophomore, she won the classical and freestyle Nordic titles at both the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference and Class A championship meets.

For her outstanding season, Aseltine has been named the Morning Sentinel Girls Nordic Skier of the Year. Hannah Allen of Mt. Blue and Emma James of Mt. Abram were also considered.

"Shelby accomplished a great feat this season," Mt. Blue Nordic coach Jeff Meserve said. "She works so hard at the sport and she is only going to get better with the more time she spends on snow."

Running cross country in the fall and distances events for the track and field team in the spring helped Aseltine gain strength and stamina during the winter season.

"I accomplished the goals I've set for this year," she said. "Next year, I'm looking for bigger goals to push me even harder."

Aseltine hit her stride at the KVAC championships, earning a 14-second win over Maranacook's Emily Harriman in the 5K freestyle race, then coming back for a 17-second win in the classical event.

While many competitors were wearing down after a very competitive season, Aseltine was hitting her stride.

In the Class A 5K freestyle championships she won by 23-second over Leavitt's Melissa Kelson and won by 40 second over teammate Hannah Allen in the 5K classical race.

"It was a little surreal at first," Aseltine said. "I'm very happy that it happened, but I know you need to look forward to get better."

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