Throughout the summer, DartmouthSports.com will be focusing on members of the Class of 2020 who are currently in their "Sophomore Summers."
This installment features David Domonoske of the ski team. An All-East second-team skier last year, Domonoske will have a great opportunity this winter to qualify for the NCAA Championship after finishing in the top 10 in six carnival races last year. He placed as high as fifth in the giant slalom and sixth in the slalom, achieving both at the Dartmouth Carnival to earn EISA Male Alpine Skier of the Week honors. The native of Park City, Utah, has also been named to the USCSCA National Collegiate All-Academic Ski Team in each of his first two years on the squad.
DartmouthSports.com: What have you been doing during your sophomore summer?
David Domonoske: My largest time commitment is class. I'm taking Engs 33, Math 22 and Hist 54. Then I've got a few team lifts a week, and I try to mountain bike with friends at least once a week. I've been participating in the Drive Leadership program, which has been an excellent way to not just meet more athletes, but become very close to them. I joined the Dartmouth Humanitarian Engineering Club this summer and we're designing a cot for the Haven Safety Shelter. I've also been jumping into as many different bodies of water as possible in an attempt to get away from the heat and humidity.
DS: What is your favorite place on campus?
DD: The river. It doesn't matter how busy I am, how school is going, or how skiing is going. If I'm at the river, then I'm having a good time with friends and everything is on pause. It's also a great way to deal with a lack of air conditioning.
DS: What was it in the recruiting process that sold you on Dartmouth?
DD: I came to Dartmouth because of the ski team and Thayer, and it was exactly those two that sold me. I watched the ski team lift in Floren and I was impressed by their lift and also the long line of racks in the gym. In Thayer I was awed by all the tools and opportunities available to all students, with TAs and faculty available to help you with any project.
DS: What has been your best memory from competing thus far in your Dartmouth career?
DD: This year's Dartmouth Carnival slalom race. It's the only time each season we get to race at home, and also the only time we have Dartmouth spectators. I had a great second run and came down into the lead with my parents and friends cheering for me. It was my best SL result of the season and by far the best carnival I've had my entire Dartmouth career.
DS: How is Hanover different or similar to where you grew up?
DD: I'm from Park City, Utah. I grew up spending a lot of time outdoors, which I try to do here. I miss large mountains and low humidity, but the immediate access to trail networks and the river help to keep me sane when school starts getting overwhelming.
DS: What are your post-Dartmouth plans?
DD: I want to keep skiing as long as I can. If that means stopping after senior year, then I want to get a design job as an engineer. I want to solve difficult challenges that don't have straight-forward answers, and I want to have the freedom to explore different and novel solutions and use creativity.
DS: What would be your best advice to your 15-year-old self?
DD: Explore everything that could interest you, don't just stick with what you're comfortable with. You never know if you're going to enjoy something if you haven't tried it, and there's a lot out there.
DS: If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?
DD: The Himalayas. The times in my life where I just have to stop for a minute, look around and soak everything in have been in the Tetons, Alps and Dolomites, so I can't imagine what it's like to be completely dwarfed by the Himalayas.