Ian Clarke sprints to the Cubs Criterium win in Bennington. For more photos from the cycling team, find the KMS Cycling Team on Facebook.

The cycling team has continued its string of successes with a podium sweep at Holderness, top finishes at Gould Academy and top-10 results in college racing at UNH, leading up to last weekend's Tour of the Dragons, in which KMS riders took a handful of top-10 results.

KMS racers swept the top three spots on the day in April 25's Holderness road race. Peter Vollers, Jr., took the win in the 20-mile race and was joined on the Men's A podium by Brendan Rhim (2) and Ansel Dickey (3); Erin Donohue took second in Women's A, while Tommy Shebell took second in Men's B and Ian Clarke was second in Men's C. Alden Suokko (12) and Kenny McNeill (16) rounded out the top-30 finishes in Men's A.

The following Saturday, racing continued in Maine, as Gould Academy held its annual Grafton Notch Challenge. Starting alongside the Androscoggin River and then winding upwards into scenic Grafton Notch, the course provides visual and visceral reminders of New England's geography. Brendan Rhim stepped up with the Men's A win, while Ansel Dickey took third in the top class; Peter Vollers, Jr., rounded out the top 10, while Kenny McNeill took 12th and Alden Suokko 16th. Erin Donohue won the women's race, while Tommy Shebell took fifth and John Ramsay eighth in Men's B.

Moving on to Sunday's ECCC Criterium Championship, Brendan took third behind racers from the University of Pittsburgh and Princeton University, while Ansel took fifth. Erin took 11th in Women's A, while Peter won the Men's B race ahead of racers from Harvard, Lehigh and the University of New Hampshire; Alden rounded out the top 30.

A week later, the team arrived at Bennington's Tour of the Dragons and came up with many of the junior field awards. Brendan took the time trial and King of the Mountain titles en route to the overall win, while Ansel won the criterium, the road race and the sprint leader's jersey. Erin took second in the criterium and the road race to finish fifth overall, while Peter took 10th, Kenny 13th, Alden 22nd and Tommy 24th overall. Ian Clarke, racing in his USACycling-sanctioned event race, took the win in the Cubs Criterium.

Ben Todt took his biology students to Quechee's Vermont Institute of Natural Science, home to an avian rehabilitation program that treats over 400 injured and orphaned birds each year as well as a number of resident raptors, arthropods and reptiles. Ben and his class were able to see barred owls, turkey vultures and a number of other birds. They also took in a presentation on raptors and traveled the nature walk, where they were able to take plant classifications out of the classroom.

"Watching Josh work with our athletes over the past two months, it's clear that he can bring our strength and conditioning program to a new level," said Matt Gnoza, Director of Sport Development. "We're excited to have him onboard."

Josh is the first full-time strength and conditioning coach for Killington Mountain School. Prior to joining KMS in March 2012, Bullock served as the head strength and conditioning coach at the University of Redlands. While at the University of Redlands, Bullock oversaw the strength and conditioning programs for 21 NCAA sports, serving approximately 550 active student-athletes, a staff of nine coaches, and 25 student employees. In addition to his duties as the head strength and conditioning coach, Bullock was the director of the campus fitness center and instructor of two undergraduate-level courses in strength and conditioning. He completed his undergraduate coursework at the University of Redlands in 2003, graduating with a bachelor's degree in liberal studies and a minor in physical education. In 2011, Bullock completed a master’s degree in management from the University of Redlands and in July 2012, he anticipates the completion of a second master’s degree in kinesiology from Fresno Pacific University. Bullock is one of 308 Registered Strength and Conditioning Coaches (RSCC) in the country as well as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with Distinction (CSCS,*D) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He is also a USA Weightlifting (USAW)-certified coach. He is also a certified Specialist in Performance Nutrition.

To keep informed on the ongoing developments in strength and conditioning, visit the KMS Strength and Conditioning page on Facebook.

Kelly Brush will be speaking to KMS student-athletes and staff at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 18. As a result of sliding off a trail and into a lift tower during the 2006 Williams Carnival, Kelly suffered a paralyzing spine injury. However, she returned to snow as an active supporter of the Middlebury Ski Team, forerunning the 2008 Middlebury Carnival GS in a monoski before graduating with her class that May and receiving an NCAA Inspiration Award in 2009. She is now studying to become a nurse practitioner while also serving as a board member of the Kelly Brush Foundation.

The inaugural KMS Graduation and Awards program for our nine-month students will be on Friday, June 1; although the schedule is not final, the program will probably begin in the early afternoon and finish in the early evening.

Summer-camp season is rapidly approaching; each student-athlete should have heard from his or her coach about both conditioning and training opportunities throughout the prep season. Parents, please remember to register for the summer camps that your child or children will attend.

Find the KMS Freeskiing Team on Facebook and check out the edits posted earlier this week featuring 2011-12 action from various members of the KMS and KSC-KMS squads.

The cycling team began its prep-school season on Wednesday, racing at Holderness; prep-school racing continues Saturday at Maine's Gould Academy and then comes to Killington on Wednesday, May 2 for the KMS Hill Climb Time Trial. The KMS Cycling Team will also race in this coming Sunday's Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference Criterium Championship; check out the KMS Cycling Team blog for the full schedule and don't forget to visit the KMS Cycling Team Facebook page for more photos!

The KMS class of 2012 has been accepted into over 40 colleges and universities including American University, Bates College, Boston College, Brigham Young University, Clarkson University, Colby-Sawyer College, East Stroudsberg University, Endicott College, Gettysburg College, Hofstra University, Ithaca College, Johnson & Wales, Lafayette College, Northeastern University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Saint John's University, Saint Lawrence University, Saint Michael's College, Union College, University of Denver, University of New Hampshire, University of Richmond, University of Utah, University of Vermont, and University of Washington.

Donate online today or call Barb Deubel at 802.422.5671 x. 216 to make your contribution.

To those of you who have already donated, thank you; your continued support makes it possible for us to provide KMS student-athletes with the support they need as they pursue a rigorous academic program while skiing, riding and cycling at an elite level.

After strong showings in several categories at New York's Tour of the Battenkill, cycling team riders took top-five finishes at the West Point criterium and then returned to ECCC racing this weekend with seven podium finishes at Dartmouth's L'Enfer du Nord race weekend.

At Battenkill, Brendan Rhim was part of a two-rider break about halfway through the race and was as much as two minutes ahead of the peloton. As they approached the last climb with a minute's lead over the main group, a second breakaway group of Canadian riders caught up and passed the leading pair, but Brendan was able to stay ahead of the main peloton and finish in seventh position. After "great work blocking for Brendan," Ansel brought what was left of the main peloton home and won his group sprint to take 14th in the junior 17-18 category. Peter Vollers, Jr., rode to a 13th-place finish in the 15-16 men's group and was joined in the top 25 by Alden Suokko, who took 22nd; Erin Donahue took 21st in Women's Category 3.

After finishing a full day of racing at Battenkill, the team headed to West Point for the Army criterium. Peter Vollers, Jr., scored fifth in the men's B race while Brendan and Ansel worked what Coach Vollers described as a "picture-perfect" leadout on the last lap for second and fourth, not only putting them in the top five but also into USA Cycling's weekly collegiate racing wrapup.

Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference (ECCC) racing resumed this past weekend for Dartmouth's L'Enfer du Nord series. Racing began with a fast, 2.8-mile individual time trial. Brendan beat the Men's A field by 13 seconds to take the win, while Erin took third in the Women's A race. Peter Vollers, Jr., just missed the podium with a fourth-place finish in Men's B and was joined in the top 30 by Alden Suokko, while Tommy Shebell took 13th in Men's C.

The team continued to accumulate podiums in the afternoon's criterium, with Peter Vollers, Jr., just missing the win and taking second in a field-sprint finish. Ansel won the field sprint in Men's A to take third after a great leadout by Brendan, and Erin took fifth in the Women's A field. In Sunday's road race, Peter Vollers, Jr., capped off an impressive weekend with the Men's B win; Erin took third in Women's A, while Alden was seventh in Men's B and Ansel 11th in Men's A.

KILLINGTON, Vt. (April 13, 2012)— Mazie Hayden, an 11-year-old from Pittsfield, Vt., and a member of the Killington Mountain School Competition Program, took the USASA National Championship title for skiercross in the Skier Girls (Age 10-12) division at Copper Mountain in Colorado last week. Hayden competed against the best 34 girls in her age group from across the country.

“After an underwhelming winter and unseasonably warm temps, the course conditions resembled those of the East Coast—fast and firm,” said KMS Snowboard Program Director KC Gandee. “After time trials on the course where each girl had one run, Mazie qualified in third place behind two other East Coast girls. With a quarterfinal round of heats, Mazie had gate choice and won her first heat handily. In semis, Mazie and number two seed were neck and neck out of the gate and through the technical start section. Mazie conceded first place wisely knowing that her second place finish would advance her to finals. In the final heat, Mazie had third gate choice, but overcame with her usual strong pull out of the gate. She negotiated the start section like a pro and ended up taking the hole shot (first skier into the first turn) and held her lead through the course to take the win and the National Championship.”

Hayden qualified for the National Championship by accruing points through regional competition in the Southern Vermont Series, taking the championship title in that series this year as well.

As a grassroots organization, the USASA is proud to be able to represent the recreational and competitive interests of amateur snowboarding and freeskiing in the United States. USASA accomplishes this by supporting 32 series across the country that put on nearly 500 events throughout the season. Its goal is to promote safe, fair, and fun events while fostering a competitive spirit in the snowboard and freeski athletes. In addition, USASA emphasizes education for coaches and competitors, and promotes an overall healthy snowboard and ski lifestyle.

Killington Mountain School is a fully approved Vermont independent school whose mission is to inspire students to pursue excellence in academics and athletics in a culture that promotes integrity, leadership, responsibility, and respect. To learn more about alpine, snowboard, freestyle, freeskiing and cycling training and rigorous academic opportunities, visit www.killingtonmountainschool.org or call 802.422.KMS1.

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After hors d'œuvres and a few words of welcome from Tao Smith, head of school, and Mike Hone, president of the board of trustees, each department presented an academic award. One student-athlete was recognized by each department for an outstanding commitment to his or her studies and exceptional work in that subject area. For her commitment to learning in science—a commitment that extended to volunteering at the Killington Clinic—Ben Todt presented Kelly Rowland with the science department award. For excellence in the study of mathematics, including a commitment to both AP calculus and AP statistics, Steve Tuckerman presented the mathematics department award to Kenny McNeill. Pala Mostoller presented the English department award to Wyatt Queirolo, and Phil Anderson presented the history department award to Kyle Burcin. For excellence in the study of Spanish, Andrew Whyte presented the language department award to Ansel Dickey. Finally, Ami Benoit presented the arts department award to Jocelyn Werle.

Phil Anderson, head of dorm, presented the dorm leadership award to Logan Farmer. The dorm leadership award recognizes the residential student-athlete who best exemplifies the spirit of community living as shown by his positive attitude and willingness to serve others.

Tao Smith recognized Ari Schneider for the head of school award; this award is selected by the head of school and presented annually to the underclass student-athlete who most demonstrates the qualities of leadership, dedication and commitment. Dr. Schneider received it on Ari's behalf, as Ari was in Colorado for USASA Nationals.

Each team then presented athletic awards: most improved award, coaches' award and the skiing/riding excellence award. The most improved award recognizes the athlete who exemplifies the hard work and dedication required to make significant progress in his or her discipline. Results may or may not be used in the determination of the most improved award.

The coaches' award recognizes the athlete who exemplifies total commitment to the sport. While results are considered, a commitment that demonstrates a strong personal work ethic, an unselfish willingness to share with fellow athletes and the tools that produce superior personal improvement are more important.

The skiing/riding excellence award recognizes the athlete within each group that achieved the strongest results in the current season. High-pressure, high-stakes and championship series results may be given special consideration.

Many of the coaches reported difficulty making these awards, as so many athletes reached new levels in their pursuit of athletic excellence.

After Tao spoke about Dr. Hasse Halley and the ways in which the KMS community is working to honor her memory, Andrew Whyte presented the inaugural Hasse Community Cup. The cup is awarded to the community team that collects the most points throughout the school year, through both arranged competitions—including bowling, last week's scavenger hunt and a series of chess tournaments—and through the recognition of unprompted actions that closely match the principles of the KMS mission statement—responsibility, integrity, leadership, excellence and respect. The Orange Fury edged the Red Rockets, 100 points to 99, and won the 2012 Hasse Community Cup.

Each senior was then introduced to the whole community by the faculty or staff member of that senior's choice; as has become tradition at KMS, many introductions included humorous anecdotes or another unique view—such as a poem or the top 10 reasons a senior made it to the awards ceremony—of that senior's KMS experience. In a KMS first, three coaches who were working at USASA Nationals during the event presented remotely, two by video and one by phone. Although there were some small glitches, we hope to refine the process for 2013 so that all of our faculty and staff are able to participate.

After the presentation of the seniors, the three awards for the senior class—the academic excellence award, the Agresto Senior Spirit Award, and the Coriell KMS Cup—were presented. Julian Scherding received the academic excellence award, recognizing his continued academic dedication and intellectual curiosity, including a broad-based and sincere desire to learn.

Tao presented the Agresto Senior Spirit Award to Kristie Ryan and Kenny McNeill. Recently renamed in honor of beloved, long-time KMS teacher Arleen Agresto, who passed away last week, this award recognizes up to two KMS seniors—one male and one female—who display the "KMS spirit." These student-athletes display an infectious positive spirit and an appreciation for the opportunities available at KMS.

The Coriell KMS Cup is KMS' most prestigious award and recognizes the student-athlete or student-athletes who excel in all aspects of the program. Recipients of this award are those who best represent, in word and in deeds, the KMS Mission Statement. Tao Smith recognized Kayla Burcin and Ben Scheu as the 2012 recipients of the KMS Coriell Cup.

Brendan Rhim kicked off the Lux et Velocitas race weekend at Yale University with a second-place finish in the time trial, just 10 seconds behind Erik Levinsohn of Williams College. Ansel Dickey took 17th in the race, while Peter Vollers, Jr., had a strong run in the men's B division to take fourth and Erin Donohue was fifth in women's A. Alden Suokko rounded out the team results in 16th.

Pushing their recoveries from the uphill time trial, racers moved into a "brutal" road race course later in the day. Erin took another fifth-place finish in the women's A field while Coach Vollers reported that Ansel "rode himself into the ground" for seventh in men's A; Brendan crashed out on the first lap. Peter Vollers, Jr., took 11th and Alden took 23rd in men's B.

After enjoying the gifts left behind by the Easter Bunny on his Sunday-morning visit, the team headed into the criterium. Brendan "adhered to coach's tactics perfectly" to win the  men's A race, with Ansel muscling through the field sprint for eighth. Peter Vollers, Jr., took eighth and Alden 27th in men's B.