Ask skiers what they want and they will tell you cold and snow ? so far this season, the Clarkston High School ski teams have gotten just that.
Pine Knob Ski and Snowboard Resort has been making snow since late November. Along with natural snowfall from the past weeks, conditions have been optimal, said head coach Mike Foyteck.
‘This season has had a great start compared to last year,? Foyteck said. ‘The team has had more training days than all of the 2006/07 season combined.?
A group of CHS ski team members started preparation early by attending race camps in Colorado during Thanksgiving week.
In December, several athletes again traveled to Colorado for training and races. This, combined with local training, has allowed the teams to build a solid foundation of practice, he said.
Most of the team members participated in race camps over the Christmas holidays, too.
The athletes compete in two disciplines in high school racing ? giant slalom and slalom races. They often mean different skis and related equipment, including various types of wax. Fine tuning equipment and perfecting waxing techniques is part of the pre-season preparation.
Foyteck is joined by veteran assistant coach Sara Tarzwell and first year assistant Ryan Parrott, a former CHS racer.
The girl’s team lost one varsity athlete, Trisha Peters, to graduation, but returns a strong, experienced line up led by Hannah Wolfe, 2007 state champion in giant slalom.
Joining Wolfe are Heather Barnon, Maddy Dunn, Erica Halsey, Analicia Honkanen, Kelly Peters, Katie Reis, and Katelyn Schermerhorn.
‘I have been coaching a long time, and you don’t get to coach a team with this kind of experience very often,? said Foytek ‘It will be exciting to see if the team can reach the goals that they have set.?
On the boys? side, the team lost several seniors to graduation, including all state skier Eric Weiland.
Chris Bland and Tyler Kenerson are third year starters for the team and will anchor a group of new varsity team members who are training hard to increase skills and racing technique, Foyteck said.
‘I have coached Chris and Tyler for their high school years and look forward to seeing them have a great senior season,? he said. ‘The new boys on the team have great potential but we have some work to do.?
The Lady Wolves will be led by captains Hannah Wolfe, Erica Halsey and Katelyn Schermerhorn. The boys? captains are Chris Bland and Tyler Kenerson.
The teams? first meet of the season is Jan. 9 at Pine Knob. The meet begins at 4:15 p.m.
BY MARY ANNE KENERSON
Special to The Clarkston News