It’s a story of hard work paying off as Cassell LeFevre was selected to the 11 men, 11 women Western Region team, scheduled to compete in Sugarloaf, Maine, at the Under 16 National Championships March 29-April 4.
LeFevre, who is a freshman at Hood River Valley High School, grew up racing and training for the Cooper Spur Race Team. This season he and his family decided he should make a commitment to the sport. Last fall, LeFevre joined the Mt. Hood Race Team and Academy for the winter term — a live-in ski academy in Government Camp where LeFevre spends seven days a week training and balancing online school.
LeFevre spent his free time this past summer mowing lawns and doing other odd jobs to earn his own money to help with the cost of the academy, ski equipment, and traveling to ski races. This 15-year-old hopes of one day skiing at the World Cup and at the Olympics for the US Ski Team. Making it to the U16 Nationals is a small step on the way.
His coach and program director for Mt. Hood Race Team and Academy, Seth McCadam, says he is proud of LeFevre’s patience and hard work.
“Last year Cassell was the last kid to make it to the regional competition and finished at the back of the pack. This year, his hard work led him to be the first qualifier at regionals and he skied with confidence and determination — which paid off with a spot on the regional team going to nationals.”
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