Each and every winter, Michiganders are forced to deal with mountains of snow. Dealing with dangerous roads, snow days, icy sidewalks, shoveling is needed throughout Michigan’s blizzards. Though it may be unbelievably freezing, there is entertainment in these chilly winters, such as sledding, snowboarding- and most of all: skiing. All these activities help create fun in these freezing winters.
At the high school, students get the chance to take skiing to the next level. Joining the ski team gives students an opportunity to practice, train and compete. Dave and Challice Dixon are the coaches of the high school’s ski team and help prepare students to be the best skiers they can be. This training usually starts in November and ends in February.
The skier’s goal is to get their fastest time when skiing down the slope. They are able to do this with lots of training and practice, and lots of trial and error in races. Over time they are able to master this goal. Junior Drake Sellek is one of those students who get that opportunity.
Selleck is a five-year skier, three of which have been spent on the Wildcat ski team. He has learned a lot from the program.
“There [are] applied skills and technicalities you need to learn, like learning how to get really close to the gate,” Selleck said.
Junior Sophia Tyler has been skiing on the ski team for three years. She has been building up her confidence and motivation to do her best when skiing throughout the years. The best way for her, is by putting in the work early on in the season.
“We start pre-season at the end of November which is working out, basically, and then we start real skiing: practicing on the hill when the snow comes,” Tyler said.
They train for two main events, which are mostly similar. Typically, the skiers do both.
“There are two events: giant slalom and slalom. Slalom is basically gates that slide closer together while giant slalom is further apart,” Selleck said.
Just like any other sport at the high school, the ski team has weekly competitions scheduled against multiple teams. Competing against multiple teams also adds variety to the experience and allows for comparisons of performance across different opponents.
“We have a race every Tuesday and we usually go up to Caberfae for Regionals,” Tyler said.
Unfortunately this year’s lack of snow has gotten in the way of the ski team being able to even have regionals this year. The ski team has missed out on more races than usual this season.
“A lot of our races have been postponed or rescheduled and also the snow isn’t as good so we’re not able to go as fast or to our full potential,” Tyler said.
The high school athletic director Pat Marsman schedules all of the sports competitions for the high school. This year, he has had some trouble when scheduling the ski team races.
“Obviously, with just no snow, it’s hard to ski,” Marsman said. “Only a certain number of ski places will make snow and those are up north more. The further you have to drive, the less chance you’re probably going to go do it.”
Though the ski team has had limited chances to compete and have races they still persevered, even though they didn’t have as many races as planned.
