At Waterville Valley Academy, growth is not just measured in podiums and results, although we are committed to achievement. It is measured in consistency, resilience, learning to push through setbacks, supporting teammates, and finding ways to get a little bit better every day. The 2025/26 season for the WVA FIS Men’s team was a powerful example of exactly that.
On paper, the numbers tell an impressive story. Across the board, athletes significantly lowered FIS points in technical and speed disciplines, earned NCAA opportunities, competed internationally, and continued progressing along the Division I pathway.
But behind every point drop is something bigger. Early mornings, difficult training blocks, setbacks, breakthroughs, and teammates pushing one another to improve.
NCAA Commitments and the Next Step
This season, four WVA FIS Men committed to NCAA Division I programs, continuing the Academy’s long-standing pathway from development to collegiate racing.
Gunnar Guilbert committed to Colby College.
Christain McCourtie committed to Plymouth State University.
Albie Preisler committed to Saint Michael’s College.
Tucker Thayer committed to Saint Michael’s College.
Christain McCourtie committed to Plymouth State University.
Albie Preisler committed to Saint Michael’s College.
Tucker Thayer committed to Saint Michael’s College.
The pipeline continues to stay strong, with several additional athletes currently on the Division I track.
Matteo Padoan is exploring opportunities including Harvard and Williams and will spend time PGing in Italy next year.
Mason Cunio is in discussions with programs including SLU, Saint Michael’s, Colby, UNH, and Williams.
Jake Wagner is looking at opportunities including UNR and Colby.
Mason Cunio is in discussions with programs including SLU, Saint Michael’s, Colby, UNH, and Williams.
Jake Wagner is looking at opportunities including UNR and Colby.
On the international stage, Albie represented Denmark at Junior World Championships, competing in technical events and continuing to raise the bar for what is possible within the program.
The Numbers: Significant Point Drops Across the Team
For ski racers, lowering FIS points is one of the clearest indicators of growth and competitiveness. This season, the WVA FIS Men lowered points in nearly every discipline across the roster.
Technical Progress
The improvements in GS and SL were substantial.
Gunnar Guilbert
GS: 46 → 30
GS: 46 → 30
Jake Wagner
GS: 62 → 46
SL: 80 → 54
GS: 62 → 46
SL: 80 → 54
Matteo Padoan
GS: 61 → 48
SL: 83 → 62
GS: 61 → 48
SL: 83 → 62
Mason Cunio
GS: 60 → 42
SL: 59 → 53
GS: 60 → 42
SL: 59 → 53
Tucker Thayer
GS: 67 → 48
SL: 47 → 40
GS: 67 → 48
SL: 47 → 40
Albie Preisler
GS: 71 → 54
SL: 58 → 46
GS: 71 → 54
SL: 58 → 46
Christian McCourtie
SL: 42 → 39
SL: 42 → 39
Jake Leonard
GS: 999 → 109
SL: 999 → 80
GS: 999 → 109
SL: 999 → 80
Will Bradica
GS: 999 → 116
SL: 999 → 150
GS: 999 → 116
SL: 999 → 150
Evan Cavallero
GS: 127 → 98
GS: 127 → 98
For newer athletes like Jake Leonard and Will Bradica, the jump from no established FIS profile to competitive points represents major development and confidence gained over the season.
Speed Development
The speed side also saw major gains.
Matteo Padaon
SG: 106 → 68
DH: 131 → 83
SG: 106 → 68
DH: 131 → 83
Gunnar Guilbert
SG: 159 → 103
SG: 159 → 103
Tucker Thayer
SG: 119 → 98
SG: 119 → 98
Jake Wagner
SG: 139 → 96
SG: 139 → 96
Christian McCourtie
SG: 89 → 85
SG: 89 → 85
Jake Leonard
SG: 999 → 174
SG: 999 → 174
Will Bradica
SG: 999 → 244
SG: 999 → 244
These numbers reflect more than technical improvement. They show growing confidence, discipline, and comfort in events that require athletes to trust themselves and commit fully.
What Does Growth Actually Look Like?
Growth does not happen in isolation.
This team pushed each other every day, on snow, in the gym, in recovery, and in the small moments that often go unseen. Athletes challenged one another in training, held each other accountable, and created an environment where effort mattered. The standard continued to rise because the athletes around them demanded it.
There were moments of breakthrough and moments of frustration. Learning when to attack, when to stay patient, how to manage nerves, how to trust the process, and how to compete consistently all became part of the season’s story.
The biggest takeaway is that improvement is rarely linear.
For some athletes, growth looked like major point drops. For others, it meant learning how to race with confidence, adapting to higher levels of competition, or stepping into leadership roles. Sometimes growth looks like a breakthrough race. Other times, it looks like showing up and doing the work when progress feels slow.
Looking Ahead
The momentum within the WVA FIS Men’s program continues to build thanks to Head Coach, Jason Guilbert. With NCAA commitments secured, athletes progressing through the pipeline, and major gains made across disciplines, the future is exciting.
Perhaps the most important thing this team built this year was culture. A group of athletes willing to work, compete, support one another, and continue chasing improvement.
At WVA, success is never just about where you finish.
It is about who you become in the process.