SSCV Mogul Program Celebrates Ava Keenan’s Historic Bronze at Vail Banquet

Ava Keenan stood on the podium at Palisades Tahoe, her bronze medal heavy around her neck, having just outskied World Cup veterans to claim a spot in history. She was fifteen. She was the first Black skier to ever reach the senior national mogul podium. And she had done it after missing the crucial U.S. Selections event because of an injury sustained in Chile back in October.

That’s the kind of narrative that keeps locals awake at night, not because of the stress, but because it’s the story of this town’s ski program. The Ski and Snowboard Club Vail (SSCV) didn’t just wrap up its mogul season with national championship podiums; it cemented a legacy that feels less like a sports report and more like a local legend in the making.

The numbers are specific. Keenan finished third in the women’s individual event on March 28 with a score of 63.13. Jiah Cohen took bronze in men’s duals the next day. These aren’t just participation trophies. They are results that signal a shift in the competitive landscape of American freestyle skiing.

“It was an amazing year for Ski Club Vail — for the mogul program as a whole,” said Freddy Mooney, the SSCV program director.

Mooney didn’t stop there. He pointed to the broader ecosystem that supports these athletes. Liz Lemley brought home an Olympic gold and a bronze. Tess Johnson won a World Cup and four other podiums. At the divisional level, SSCV athletes were on the podium every weekend. The majority of top-10 finishes at local races went to the club.

Picture this: a 15-year-old girl, injured months prior, stepping onto a difficult course in California and dominating. Keenan’s performance was a redemptive arc. She had to overcome a "huge burden" of qualifying for World Juniors using only NorAm results, pitting her against the best from the U.S. and Canada. While seven of her teammates were competing at the FIS Freestyle Junior World Championships in Airolo, Switzerland, Keenan stayed put. She trained at Golden Peak with coach Will Fenely.

“And it showed,” Mooney said. “She shined on a really difficult course.”

The course favored her aggressive style. She finished ahead of Dory Michaud and World Cup skier Alli Macuga. Kylie Kariotis took the win with a score of 70.34, edging out Kasey Hogg (70.16). Other SSCV athletes like Abby McLarnon, Katie Dreitlein, Reese Lemnah, and Kayla Broecker placed in the top 25. Keenan also finished ninth in the dual event.

This isn’t just about one season. Keenan became only the second 15-year-old to podium at the national championships, following Olivia Giaccio in 2016. The emergence of Mahlia Torres, who finished seventh in the NorAm dual moguls standings and ninth at junior worlds, adds depth to the roster.

The club’s recognition of these efforts happened on April 10 at the year-end awards banquet. It’s where the community gathers to validate the grind. Jiah Cohen took home the Les Streeter Award for Moguls. Jess Haslau, Chaley Stocker, and Dan Stripp were named Coaches of the Year.

But the awards go deeper than just race results. The Campbell Sullivan SkiFast Award, honoring strength, kindness, and selflessness, went to Meg Gustafson and Audrey Crowley for alpine, and Tucker Moore for Nordic. Weston Roach and Alex Krupka took the Downhill Racer Award. Russ Shay received the Zella Gorsuch Award for his greatest contribution to the advancement of skiing in the Vail area.

There’s a specific weight to these accolades because they reflect the values of the club. The Walter Kirch Award, given to the athlete who embodies character, courage, and commitment, went to the overall 3C winner. Ben Diaz took the full-time athlete award, while Lola Pearson was recognized as the part-time athlete.

The academic side of the club is equally celebrated. The SSCV Student of the Year Awards went to Ana Clave and Kaleb Gibbs from Vail Mountain School, and Parker Schahill and Gabe Fletcher from Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy. Mella Wheatley was named Teacher of the Year, honoring the support provided to full-time athletes.

Hunter Wallen received the Adrian Kearney Award for a graduating Alpine age-class athlete who exhibits true passion. Max Loveless took the Freeski Les Streeter Award, Miles Engle the Freeride, and Giada Brienza the Snowboard award.

It’s a lot of names. A lot of medals. But it’s also a lot of infrastructure. It’s the coaches driving the early morning runs. It’s the teachers balancing the curriculum with the travel schedule. It’s the community watching from the sidelines, knowing that when Keenan drops into that moguls course, she’s carrying the weight of this entire system.

The banquet ended with speeches and handshakes. The season is over. The skiers are resting. But the momentum doesn’t stop. It just waits for the snow to fall again.