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03/31/2019 12:00 AMDan Wehrle has been a fixture on the ski slopes for several years. While experiencing a great deal of success in the sport, Dan has also learned a lot about the importance of persistence in all aspects of life.
Dan is a senior who recently finished his career in the Hand skiing program. Dan started skiing 12 years ago, and he and his family still make trips to Stratton Mountain in Vermont.
Dan was named a captain for the Tigers as a sophomore and then held that post for the next three seasons. This winter, Dan guided the Hand boys’ ski team to a record of 19-6 and a second-place finish at the Class S State Championship. He also qualified to represent Team Connecticut at the Eastern Regional High School Championships for the second consecutive year.
“Skiing is definitely an unforgiving sport, and it’s a mental game. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs with it,” says Dan. “I’ve had to do a lot to prepare mentally for races. There were times I wanted to quit it out of frustration, but you just have to dust yourself off, come back, and work harder. It’s been beneficial to my whole life.”
Early in his career, Dan got frustrated when he came up shy of qualifying for some big races. However, those shortcomings forced Dan to look inward and develop the psyche that he needed to thrive.
“Every year, the state sends the top 12 boys and girls to the Eastern Championships, and I didn’t qualify for it as a freshman and sophomore, which definitely hurt,” Dan says. “I just kept practicing with dry-land training and going to the gym. I also learned that you have to go out there with a good attitude. You have to be ready to work and get excited in that starting gate.”
While skiing is strenuous, it also provides Dan with a way to escape some of the stresses of everyday life. Dan says there’s nothing quite like the feeling of standing out there on the powder.
“The unique thing with high school skiing is that it’s given me a good escape from everything else, and it’s had a good effect on my life,” says Dan. “When you are on the mountain, you get a great feeling in your head. The feelings of the adrenaline and happiness, there’s not much like it.”
It took some time for Dan to settle in when he was selected as a captain during his sophomore season. However, Dan grew into the role quite nicely and became a confident leader who liked offering guidance to his fellow Tigers.
“Being a captain was definitely something to get used to. When I was nominated as captain, I wasn’t as serious about it as I should have been,” Dan says. “But being captain shaped who I am at Hand. It taught me a lot about leading a group.”
Head Coach John Barrett says that Dan’s even-keel demeanor lends itself to being an effective leader. In addition to Dan’s skills on the slopes, Barrett note that he’s also an excellent communicator.
“Dan has been a strong leader for the boys’ ski team. He’s been our top performer since joining the team,” says Barrett. “Dan handles the communication for the boys’ team and often gives other teammates advice and help. Dan has more of a relaxed personality, but uses it effectively to lead the team.”
As he leaves the high school hills, Dan feels proud about how much the Hand skiing team has grown. Dan thinks the Tigers are in a prime position to be a prominent program for years to come.
“My freshman year, I remember the team sharing a bus with the Guilford team, because we were so small. It wasn’t as serious as it is now,” Dan says. “I love how the team brings together so many people, and it’s great to see the camaraderie on the team. Coach Barrett has done a great job here, and I think the team will only continue to get better.”