Several local mogul skiers qualified for the 2022 Junior National Championships and are competing in the championships in Park City, Utah, through Sunday.
Megan Faherty, Amara Kirk, Charlie Mickel and Corbett Thomas, all with ties to the Purgatory Freestyle Ski Team, will compete in single and dual mogul events.
Freddie Mickel and Munayo Ferreira qualified but won’t compete because of injuries.
“It’s an achievement getting there,” said coach Kirk Rawles. “I think it’s tougher to qualify because we’re in the Rocky Mountain division, and the depth is pretty tough. Once they get there, there are a few kids from other divisions, but the ones who score pretty high are mostly from the Rocky Mountain division.”
Mickel, who grew up competing with the Purgatory Freestyle Ski Team, rides for the Wasatch Ski Club in Utah. He’ll defend the junior national title he won last season. “He’s a ripping skier,” Rawles said.
Thomas also has done well at regional events this season, but the 14-year-old will compete in the U18 event.
“I think it will be a great experience for him,” Rawles said, noting Thomas just learned how to do backflips this season.
Faherty and Kirk also had strong seasons to qualify among the top skiers in the national point system.
“Head coach Nolan Stowers has done a great job, and the city provided a really good outlet for them,” Rawles said. “Given our location in Durango and the fact we compete against the Steamboats and Aspens and Vails, it’s great to have that much representation and have that many kids coming out of a relatively small club.”
