Class of 2024 signs off from Interschools

If you look down the start list of athletes contesting the Division 1 competitions this week at the Subaru Australian Interschools Snowsports Championships, around half of them will be in year 12.

That means that this weekend they will be taking part in the event for the very last time.

Many of those have come from their primary school years all the way through to year 12 with only weather or a global pandemic getting in the way.

From Snowy Mountains Grammar School, Division 1 athletes Jesse Paske and Charlotte Mooney wound up their time at Interschools by sending it down Mogul Matts at Blue Cow.

Such was their commitment to making the most of their final Interschools experience, they decided to take part in Moguls despite the adjacent T-Bar closing overnight, meaning athletes had to make the 89m vertical hike through wet snow between training and their two runs.

In fact Charlotte had the honour of being the final female of the Class of 2024 to complete their Interschools career.  

“Mr Livissianos at the top was like ‘you’re bringing it home for everyone’ and I was like ‘ahhh!’ That was kinda funny,” said Charlotte. “It’s pretty sad, but it was also exciting and fun.”

Between the two runs, Jesse and Charlotte were having a laugh and thought they should have a bit of fun on their last trip down the Moguls course.

“We joked after the first run that I should do a 360 and I thought, ‘why not?, It’s the last one’,” said Jesse. “So I did it, and it was fun, landed it - didn’t fall on my face!”

Afterwards she said that Interschools was one of the highlights of her time at school, but like many things which happen in year 12, and ending is inevitable.

“I definitely will miss it,” Jesse said. “It’s something we look forward to every year so definitely going to miss it."

Charlotte added: “It’s definitely going to be a big change, not really looking forward it being over but I guess it’s done and dusted!”

While Interschools is a competition, the strength of it is built on the spirit and camaraderie amongst competitors, teachers, parents and the snowsports community that comes from far and wide.

It is unsurprising then that Jesse’s best memories from Interschools haven’t come from fast times and podium performances, but of the endless smiles and new friends made.

“It's probably the stacks, all the falls - it makes good memories,” she said. “It’s pretty cool to see everyone from year to year from different schools and you’re like ‘oh, hey!’, and supporting them too. 

“Cheering each other on is pretty cool.”