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Nate Bahnik '26: Shredding the Slopes with Success Through Grit and Guts

By Catherine Kasper and Olga Markovic

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Nate Bahnik, a standout athlete from the class of 2026 at Portledge, has made a name for himself as a competitive skier. This past winter, he showcased his skills at The Junior Nationals Freestyle Skiing Championships in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The elite event gathers the top junior skiers from all across the nation and features a challenging course peppered with sharp turns, steep descents, and of course, moguls. 

Nate's love for skiing began at the age of four and blossomed into a serious passion during his Middle School years, when he started competing. Despite his impressive achievements, Nate has decided not to pursue skiing in college, choosing instead to focus on his other athletic interests. 

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In addition to getting an insight into his background and achievements in the sport, we were also able to learn about Bahnik’s crucial pre-competition ritual that helps him perform to the best of his ability. Nate confidently stated, “I usually just go through my normal warm-ups such as stretching and lots of water,” a rather simple approach to take compared to some; yet, it works just as well, and allows him to focus on what he needs to do in order to perform well.

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As reporters we also felt compelled to discuss some of the more difficult aspects of being an athlete, things which are often overlooked. When we sat down for an interview and asked him to reflect on his skiing journey, Nate opened up about the hard truths athletes need to understand in their careers. Bahnik shared this valuable lesson: "There is always someone better than you. It’s true!" This insight, embraced by many athletes, highlights the importance of humility and continuous self-improvement, qualities that can sometimes get lost on the journey to success. Guided by this principle, Nate has reached new heights in his skiing career, demonstrating that a humble mindset and a drive for excellence can lead to remarkable accomplishments. Secondly, Bahnik also opened up about how the sport has affected his day-to-day life, as his commitment has made it more challenging to see his friends and socialize consistently when so much of his time is wrapped up in training and competing. As members of the Portledge community, we should all aspire to Nate’s dedication and grit, while understanding that being an athlete requires a strong mental compass, the ability to deal with the roadblocks that come along the way, and never letting success stop you from being humble. Once again, congratulations Nate for your accomplishments!

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