Sheil soars to ski jumping gold at Junior Nationals

Sheil soars to ski jumping gold at Junior Nationals

Salisbury Winter Sports Association ski jumper Islay Sheil, right, and teammate Caroline Chor placed first at Junior Nationals.

Provided

SALISBURY — Team SWSA reached new heights at the 2025 Junior Nationals Ski Jumping competition held in Park City, Utah.

Islay Sheil, 15, of Lakeville, won first place and a gold medal in the team competition with teammate Caroline Chor from the Ford Sayre Ski Club. They competed in the U16 category.

The annual event featured the best jumpers aged 12 to 19 in the U.S.

“Standing on the top of the podium was an unbelievable feeling,” Sheil said. “And I was also so happy that Seth was there as part of the coaching staff.”

Sheil is the first Salisbury Winter Sports Association athlete that has earned gold in the Junior National competition in many years, if ever.

From left to right,Coach Seth Gardner, Islay Sheil and Junior National Head Coach Colin DelaneyProvided

Seth Gardner, a SWSA jumper and coach gained his own notoriety when he was named assistant Junior National coach, a first in recent decades for SWSA.

“Coaching at the Junior National competition for the first time was an extraordinary experience,” Gardner said, “It was inspiring to see the growth of all of the athletes throughout the week.” He added that he was excited to bring back to Salisbury what he had learned in Park City “to help our athletes grow.”

Each year, the Junior Nationals rotate locations among the five divisions. SWSA will next host the event in 2027.

To learn more about SWSA visit jumpfest.org.

Latest News

Mountaineers fly high in preseason basketball

Ryan Segalla takes a fadeaway shot over a defender.

By Riley Klein

FALLS VILLAGE — Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s boys basketball team defeated Pine Plains High School 60-22 in a scrimmage Tuesday, Dec. 9. The non-league preseason game gave both sides an opportunity to run the court ahead of the 2025-26 varsity season.

HVRHS’s senior-heavy roster played with power and poise. The boys pulled ahead early and kept their foot on the gas through to the end.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kent toy drive brightens holiday season

Katie Moore delivers toys to the Stuff a Truck campaign held by the Kent Volunteer Fire Department last weekend. Donated toys are collected so that parents, who need some assistance, may provide their children with gifts this Christmas. Accepting the donation are elves Fran Goodsell and Karen Iannucci

Photo by Ruth Epstein

KENT — Santa’s elves were toasty warm as they collected toys for the children of Kent.

Keeping with annual tradition, Fran Goodsell and Karen Iannucci manned the Stuff a Truck campaign sponsored by the Kent Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7. Sitting in front of a fire pit in the firehouse parking lot between donations from residents, they spoke of the incredible generosity displayed every season. That spirit of giving was clear from the piles of toys heaped on a table.

Keep ReadingShow less
HVRHS releases honor roll

Housatonic Valley Regional High School

By Riley Klein

FALLS VILLAGE — Principal Ian Strever announces the first quarter marking period Honor Roll at Housatonic Valley Regional High School for the 2025-26 school year.

Highest Honor Roll

Keep ReadingShow less
North Canaan finance board re-elects Humes as chairman
North Canaan Town Hall.
Photo by Riley Klein

NORTH CANAAN — The Board of Finance elected its officers at the first meeting of the new term on Wednesday, Dec. 10.

Doug Humes was re-elected as chair, and Brian Johnson was elected vice chair.

Keep ReadingShow less