KMS Alum and Olympian Michael Morse ('99)

"I like to set high goals for myself, hoping I can reach them. For the upcoming season, I hope to become one of the best skiers on the [Killington] B team. I trust myself and think I may be able to reach this goal through hard work and effort." - In a letter written by Michael Morse to then KMS Head of School, Bill McCollom, 1994

After competing in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Michael gave us a glimpse at what it was like to compete at the highest level and what his future may hold:

KMS: What were the opening ceremonies like? How did it make you feel?

MM: I always watched the opening ceremonies and have longed to be a part of them. Walking into the stadium with the rest of Team USA was a realization that I was actually there and was living my Olympic dream. Those first couple days before the opening ceremony felt like we were at any other competition. The Opening itself really signified that we were at the Olympics. A truly inspiring and amazing feeling. The opening ceremony was a really cool experience, almost surreal.

KMS: Were you nervous going into qualifying? Into the finals? How did you convince yourself that it was just another competition and not the Olympics?

MM: I was psyched up for such a huge event and at the same time try to convince myself that it was just another mogul run. I can understand now why being successful at the Olympics can take multiple chances; it is something really big to wrap your head around and can take only experience to master it. The competition itself was strange for me.

KMS: As you look back, was all the training worth it? Are you glad you chose the path you did? How did KMS days influence that?

MM:  As I look back, I would not change anything. Every minute of every day was completely worth it. I spent a lot of time and energy into making an Olympic Team and am really proud of that accomplishment. Of course, in hindsight, there are some training aspects that I would have changed throughout the years. I did at the time what I thought was best for me and what was best for success. Of course, I am not happy at where I placed in the Olympics and feel that I did not perform my best on that day. There could be many factors contributing to that failure and the only way to learn those was to fail in the attempt. KMS was the beginning of a long journey for me. I attribute a lot of what I have learned about work ethic and determination from Matt Gnoza and the rest of KMS. As I look back, I would not change anything.

KMS: What’s next? Retiring? Still skiing?

MM:  It is still a thought that I may compete at Worlds next year. It is very enticing being in the U.S. and being on a course that I have had some success on in the past. It would be great, but nothing is definite yet. Whatever I decide to do, I know that skiing will always be a part of my life and something that I love.

KMS: What would you tell current KMS students about your Olympic experience? What kind of takeaway did you have that might inspire them to try and achieve the same goals?

MM:  For fellow KMS’ers the message is simple—Always do what you love and follow your dreams.