Varsity Ski team faces tough competition in their first conference meet

Varsity Ski team faces tough competition in their first conference meet

Captains senior Sam Werkema and junior Abby McAlindon led the girls and boys varsity ski team in their first conference meet on Thursday. In the Cannonsburg meet, each skier took two runs on the giant slalom. There were a total of 10 schools competing in the meet. The boys placed 6th overall and the girls placed 10th. 

Sam placed in the top 20 for the boys, placing 17th with a final time of 53.16. Sophomore Ben Taylor had the second-fastest time for FHC. He placed 27th with a final time of 55.63. In third for FHC, junior captain Aidan O’Meara placed 32nd overall with a final time of 57.42. For the boys, Grand Haven placed first, combined Forest Hills Northern and Eastern took home second, and East Grand Rapids placed third. 

Abby placed in the top 10 for the girls. She placed 6th overall with a final time of 52.38. Coming in second for FHC, captain junior Koyuki Buckhold placed 45th overall with a final time of 1:01.92. Senior Isabella Natornicola was right behind Koyuki placing 46th with a final time of 1:02.53. For the girls, combined  Forest Hills Northern and Eastern placed first, Grand Haven came in second, and East Grand Rapids placed third. 

Due to weather conditions, the ski team had limited practices in the snow before their first meet.  Hoping for ideal weather conditions, the Rangers will practice the slalom this week in order to get ready for their next meeting which will be slalom as well as giant slalom. 

“Honestly, I was just happy we were able to get a race in. The weather and snow conditions have been questionable all week,” Head coach Thomas Sabin said. 

The Rangers look to compete next on Tuesday, January 14th at Cannonsburg.