After finishing first in state last year in skiing, the Staples Boys Varsity Ski team has a new coach.

Former coach Jonathan Shepro resigned after their memorable season last year. “I just didn’t have enough time anymore,” Shepro said.

This year the team has brought in Bedford Middle School Science Teacher, Courtney Ruggiero, and many players such as captain Harry Lawrence ‘11 are pleased about the addition, “I am very excited to have her on the team. She knows so much about racing and is really experienced.”

Ruggiero has great experience in the sport as she raced on the Division I ski team at Bates College and went on to be the Assistant Coach for the Brown University Ski Team. She currently is a member of the junior development team at Okemo Mountain on the weekends.

“She brings in a different level of experience and technical aspect of skiing,” Shepro said.

In her first year as coach, Ruggiero hopes to bring some new changes to the Staples squad. “We will be focusing on some of the dry land activities I used to do with my college team, as well as drills on the mountain from my coaching experiences,” Ruggiero said.

Lawrence and the other players on the team are prepared for the changes. “We have been with Shepro for three years and were used to his coaching styles. To all of a sudden get a new coach will be a tough transition with a different coaching style will be a tough transition,” Lawrence said.

Despite the change, expectations are still very high for the Staples team this year with Ruggiero at the helm.

“I expect this year to be very successful. We have a great group of guys who are motivated to do well. Hopefully my experience will build on the success the team has already seen in the past,” Ruggiero said.

Shepro also has faith that Ruggiero can pick up where he left off before he resigned, “She will definitely continue the growth the ski teams had had the past couple of seasons. She’s young, enthusiastic and will do a great job.”