Snowboard Team 3-Peats as Ontario Champions
The St. Michael’s College School (SMCS) Blue Yetis snowboard team carved their names into the SMCS history books recently as the first-ever team to capture three consecutive OFSAA snowboarding championships.
“It was a mix of emotions—shock, gratefulness, and humility that they were able to pull through with another outstanding season,” says Adrian Spagnolo ’02, teacher and one of the SMCS Snowboard team coaches. “To do it three years in a row is a credit to the grit and determination of our student-athletes. This one feels a little sweeter.”
The snowboard team qualified for OFSAA following an impressive CISAA championship day at Devil’s Glen Country Club. Notable CISAA season mentions go out to our U14 duo of Sebastian Leopold (gold/silver) and Colin Katchin (gold/silver) in the giant slalom (GS) and slopestyle divisions. Junior captain Nick Jensen dominated the field of competition, taking home gold in both divisions. Hayden Fraser captured double silvers in his divisions, while Matteo Muchalov finished fourth in GS and fifth in slopestyle. Chris Gula placed second in the division, behind SMCS teammate Ben Luborsky, who earned gold in just his second year competing in slopestyle with SMCS.
In total, five SMCS snowboarders qualified for OFSAA championships, also held at Devil’s Glen in Duntroon: Hayden Fraser, Matteo Muchalov, Ben Luborsky, Chris Gula, and Nick Jensen.
Following the morning run at OFSAA, the team’s combined time put them in second place, 2.75 seconds behind Malvern Collegiate. In the afternoon, SMCS tackled the course and made up the time, launching them into first place in school and OFSAA history.
“It was a day full of highs and lows, but the boys’ resilience shone through in the end,” says Spagnolo. “Our group is made up of unique personalities who have embraced coming together as a team, welcomed adversity, and featured great student leadership. At the end of the day, they simply love hanging out, goofing around, and winning as a team.”
Muchalov (15th), Fraser (17th), and Jensen (20th) made up SMCS’ top three performers out of 131 snowboarders.
“They are a humble group and their success just makes them hungrier for more,” says Spagnolo. “One championship is hard enough, two were a grind, but three has now established a legacy. Hoping we can get more students snowboarding and competing in the future.”
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