Making its mark on the slopes at every meet so far this season despite some challenges along the way, the Greenwich High School boys alpine skiing team knows it is on pace to excel in the rapidly approaching postseason meets.

“We had a difficult start to the season, I think the boys took that personally,” said senior Owen Benison, one of Greenwich High’s senior skiing captains. “The individual drive of each athlete to improve has had a major impact on the team as a whole.”

Benison captains the Cardinals along with senior Thaddeus Whittle, who like Benison has produced a stellar season thus far.

“Working with the team has been an absolute pleasure,” Whittle said. “It took a been of an adjustment period, but I think the team is in a great place and heading towards an even better one.”

At Greenwich’s meet Connecticut Ski League meet at Mount Southington on Jan. 8, Benison finished eighth overall. He finished his first run in 24.81 seconds and his second run in 23.80 seconds for an overall time of 48.61 seconds. Alexander Bulger of Glastonbury won the race with a time of 45.17 (23.16, 22.01).

All of the CISL competitions take place at Mount Southington, a venue the athletes enjoy racing in.

“Cold temperatures have meant great racing conditions,” Benison noted. “The courses perform well and the firm snow mean skiers can perform to their full potential.”

At the meet on Jan. 8, the Cardinals placed fourth in the team standings out of the 12 Class L teams that competed. Greenwich posted a combined team time of 303.85 seconds. Staples was the winner with a team time of 293.25 seconds and Fairfield Prep was second (297.91).

On Jan. 15, Benison earned a sixth-place finish at the CISL meet, which saw Greenwich finish sixth in the team standings. Benison clocked in at 47.42 seconds (24.63 first run, 22.79 second run) for his sixth place showing.

Joe Grenier of Cheshire was the winner with a time 45.72. Monaco finished 16th for the Cards (48.58). James Mathieson from Greenwich placed 31st (49.55). Benison mentioned the togetherness the team has exhibited.

“Team chemistry has been great this season,” he said. “We have a strong group of athletes who are working hard to collectively better the team.”

On Jan. 22, Steven Hartofilis paced the Cardinals at their CISL meet. Hartofilis raced to a ninth-place finish, clocking in at 46.42 seconds (24.15, 22.27). Monaco was 11th in 46.88 and Benison was 17th (47.61). Nicolas Sosa of the Cardinals took 25th (48.57).

Greenwich placed fifth in the team standings (296.89 seconds), while Staples was first (293.79).

Hartofilis finished an impressive fifth at the Cardinals’ latest meet at Mount Southington on Jan. 29, posting a two-run time of 45.68 (23.81, 21.87). Schacher was 12th (46.35), Benison finished 15th (46.53) and Mathieson finished 22nd (47.38).

In addition to the regular season meets, Benison, Monaco and Schacher were also selected to compete at the TEAM Connecticut Shootout Qualifiers. Benison placed 17th, Monaco finished 34th and Schacher was 35th. The cutoff to race in the second round was 30th. Benison qualified to race in the Slalom Shootouts, where he placed 13th.

Greenwich has more meets remaining in the regular season then will turn its attention on the all-important Connecticut State Championships.

“We’ve fostered a culture of growth and teamwork, one in which more experienced racers teach newer athletes and one in which the entire team strives to perform at its best,” Benison noted. “I can’t wait to see what this team can accomplish for the remainder of the season. The team’s goals this season are to qualify for and be competitive at the state championships later this year.”