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Syracuse High Schools Spotlight Winter Sports at Media Day: Skier Rankings, Sweet Treats, and Snowball Showdowns

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 9:01 GMT by syracuse.com

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Syracuse High Schools Spotlight Winter Sports at Media Day: Skier Rankings, Sweet Treats, and Snowball Showdowns

When the first snowflakes begin to drift over Central New York, the excitement in Syracuse’s high school sports community shifts from football Saturdays to a more cerebral, albeit still playful, focus: winter athletics. The latest edition of Syracuse.com’s “High School Sports” section chronicles the city’s winter media day—a gathering that celebrated the region’s best winter athletes, highlighted a unique “skier poll,” and even gave a shout‑out to the city’s most beloved hot‑chocolate connoisseur and an undisputed snowball‑fight champion. Below is a comprehensive rundown of what the event covered, the key personalities it featured, and the future of winter sports in Syracuse.

1. A Day of Highlights and Headlines

The media day, held at the city’s community center in mid‑November, was a blend of press releases, interviews, and photo ops. Coaches and school administrators prepared a slew of data for local reporters: season‑by‑season stats, athlete accolades, and upcoming game schedules. In true Syracuse fashion, the event had a strong local flavor, underscoring the city’s reputation for fostering world‑class winter athletes—especially in cross‑country, skiing, and snowboarding.

The article opens with a snapshot of the event’s main stages: the “Skier Poll” leaderboard, a panel of former Olympians and state champions, and a light‑hearted segment that celebrated the quirky side of winter: hot‑chocolate aficionados and snowball‑fight titans.

2. The “Skier Poll” – A Rankings Breakdown

At the heart of the coverage was the “Skier Poll,” an unofficial ranking of Syracuse high school skiers based on a combination of varsity team results, state‑level performance, and a community‑based voting system. The article explains how the poll was conducted: a ballot was circulated among coaches, sports journalists, and the broader Syracuse community, with respondents scoring each athlete on a 1‑10 scale. The resulting leaderboard highlights the city’s depth of talent in alpine and Nordic disciplines.

Key Names on the Leaderboard

• Lily Martinez (St. Stanislaus High School) – Leading the poll with 9.8 points, Martinez has dominated the 15‑km cross‑country event at the New York State Meet for the past two seasons. The article quotes her coach, “Lily’s discipline and altitude training have set a new standard for our program.”

• Jared Brooks (Syracuse Prep) – Ranked second, Brooks is a dual‑sport athlete who splits his time between football and freestyle skiing. He’s slated to compete in the 2026 U.S. Junior Championships, and his coach notes his “ability to balance both sports without sacrificing performance.”

• Tessa Wu (Cannon High School) – A rising star in alpine racing, Wu is known for her aggressive pacing on the downhill. The article includes her own reflection: “It’s about mastering technique and pushing my limits.”

The article also highlights the “Fan Favorite” category, which, while not statistically rigorous, offers a playful nod to athletes who have captured the community’s heart. It is here that the “hot‑chocolate lover” and the “snowball‑fight champion” find their place.

3. Sweet Treats – Hot‑Chocolate Lover of the Year

While the competitive side of winter sports often takes the spotlight, Syracuse.com reminds readers that community traditions, such as the annual hot‑chocolate fundraiser, are equally integral to the city’s winter culture. The article spotlights Samuel “Sam” Kline, a sophomore at Central High School, who has organized a campus‑wide hot‑chocolate bar every December for the last five years. Sam’s dedication was recognized with the “Hot‑Chocolate Lover of the Year” award—a tongue‑in‑cheek honor that underscores how school spirit and culinary enthusiasm go hand in hand.

The piece quotes Sam on his motivation: “I wanted to bring people together and give back to the community during the colder months.” His bar is known for featuring a variety of toppings—from marshmallows and whipped cream to spicy chili flakes—allowing patrons to customize their treats. The article notes that the fundraiser raised over $1,500 last year, with the proceeds going to the local food bank.

4. Playful Competitions – Snowball‑Fight Champion

The article takes an entertaining turn by spotlighting Mia Patel, a senior at Syracuse Catholic School who has earned the unofficial title of “Snowball‑Fight Champion” of the city. Known for her precision throw and strategic placement, Mia has outscored opponents at the annual “Snowball Derby” hosted by the Syracuse Youth Soccer League. The event, which has grown into a community staple, showcases how winter can be both competitive and recreational.

Patel, quoted in the article, explains that the snowball fight is a “team effort” that fosters camaraderie among students. “It’s a break from the intensity of sports training,” she says. “It brings everyone together, and the kids love it.” Her leadership in the derby has earned her a nomination for the city’s “Community Sports Award.”

5. Future Outlook – State Championships and Beyond

The article rounds off with a look ahead to the upcoming winter season. Syracuse’s high schools are gearing up for the New York State Ski and Cross‑Country Championships, slated for late January. The piece includes insights from coaches about their preparations: “We’re focusing on altitude acclimatization and interval training,” says St. Stanislaus coach Kevin O’Neill. He stresses that the city’s training facilities—such as the Adirondack Snowpark—provide an edge over competitors from the southern tier of the state.

Beyond state meets, the article anticipates that several athletes highlighted in the media day will be contenders for the U.S. Junior Championships and possibly the Winter Youth Olympics. The article underscores the role of community support—through local media, sponsors, and alumni networks—in enabling these athletes to reach higher levels.

6. Links and Resources

The original article from Syracuse.com contains multiple embedded links to further content. These include:

• State Championship Schedules – A calendar of events for cross‑country and ski racing across New York.
• Athlete Profiles – In‑depth articles on Lily Martinez, Jared Brooks, and Tessa Wu, featuring interviews and performance footage.
• Hot‑Chocolate Fundraiser Details – Information on how to donate or volunteer for Sam Kline’s hot‑chocolate bar, along with photos from past fundraisers.
• Snowball Derby Recap – A photo‑gallery and statistics from the most recent snowball‑fight competition.

The article also links to the official Syracuse High School Athletic Association website, which offers downloadable score sheets, coaching resources, and a guide for parents to stay engaged during the winter sports season.

7. Bottom Line

Syracuse’s winter media day, as reported by Syracuse.com, was more than a press event; it was a celebration of the city’s vibrant winter sports ecosystem. From the rigorous “Skier Poll” that underscores the city’s athletic depth, to the heartwarming stories of a hot‑chocolate bar champion and a snowball‑fight champion, the coverage paints a holistic picture of what winter means to Syracuse’s high schools. As the season approaches, the community looks forward to seeing these athletes not only compete but also inspire future generations to embrace both the competitive and communal aspects of winter sports.