Summit 12-Year-Old Finishes Undefeated Alpine Ski Season, Advances to Eastern Championships

Elizabeth McKeever will compete at the U14 U.S. Ski and Snowboard Eastern Championships after an undefeated regular season with Mountain Creek Ski Racing Club.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 6:19pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Elizabeth McKeever, a 12-year-old from Summit, New Jersey, capped off an undefeated regular season with the Mountain Creek Ski Racing Club by winning all of her qualifying races in the New Jersey Ski Racing Association (NJSRA). Her performance earned her a spot on the New Jersey State Ski Team, which will compete at the U14 U.S. Ski and Snowboard Eastern Championships in Maine from March 18-22.

Why it matters

McKeever's undefeated season is a remarkable accomplishment for a first-year U14 competitor, as she was racing against older and more experienced athletes. Her success highlights the dedication and skill of young ski racers in New Jersey and the strength of the state's ski racing program.

The details

Competing in her first year in the U14 division, McKeever consistently delivered strong, technically sound runs that set her apart from her competitors. At the Eastern Championships, she will face roughly 60 of the region's best girls from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, competing in slalom, giant slalom, and super-G events.

  • McKeever finished her undefeated regular season in March 2026.
  • The U14 U.S. Ski and Snowboard Eastern Championships will take place from March 18-22, 2026.

The players

Elizabeth McKeever

A 12-year-old from Summit, New Jersey, who finished an undefeated regular season with the Mountain Creek Ski Racing Club and earned a spot on the New Jersey State Ski Team.

Mountain Creek Ski Racing Club

The ski racing club that McKeever competes with, based in New Jersey.

New Jersey Ski Racing Association (NJSRA)

The organization that oversees ski racing competitions in New Jersey, where McKeever competed and won all of her qualifying races.

Jason Baker

The Mountain Creek U14 Head Coach and NJSRA Executive Board Member.

Jeff Pier

A well-respected NJSRA coach and program director who passed away, and in whose honor a scholarship was created that McKeever won.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We consider this accomplishment a significant extracurricular achievement. Hundreds of hours of dedication, time, and effort have been invested by these athletes to achieve such a high level of proficiency in our sport.”

— Jason Baker, Mountain Creek U14 Head Coach and NJSRA Executive Board Member

“Sometimes the best lessons are learned in failure and not success. When you fall on the slopes, as in life, the most important thing to do is get back up.”

— Elizabeth McKeever

What’s next

At the Eastern Championships, McKeever will compete in slalom, giant slalom, and super-G events against roughly 60 of the region's best girls from March 18-22, 2026.

The takeaway

McKeever's undefeated season and advancement to the prestigious Eastern Championships showcase the dedication and talent of young ski racers in New Jersey, and highlight the strength of the state's ski racing program in developing top-tier athletes.