Varsity Ski team gains more experience in their third conference race
More stories from Ally Francisco
Senior captain Sam Werkema led the boys varsity ski team in both the Giant Slalom and Slalom in their third conference meet on Tuesday. The girls had two different leaders, Junior Eden Growney placed first for the Rangers in the Giant Slalom and junior captain Abby McAlindon placed first for FHC in the Slalom. Due to great weather and real snow, this conference meet was the first one that was competed on the face at Cannonsburg where races are normally held. The boys team placed 7th in the GS and 8th in the SL; The girls placed 11th in the GS and 10th in the SL.
Sam placed 18th overall in the Giant Slalom with an overall time of 55.81 seconds. The second-fastest time for the boys in the Giant Slalom came from sophomore Ben Taylor. Ben placed 27th overall with a time of 56.78 seconds. Senior Braden Lubben was the third-fastest skier for FHC in the GS. With an overall time of 1:01.29, Braden placed 45th overall. In the slalom, Sam once again led the rangers with a time of 1:14.04 which placed him 19th. Ben placed second in the slalom as well for FHC and placed 35th overall with a time of 1:23.57. Freshman Thomas Corano was the third fastest for the Rangers with a time of 1:25.57 placing 40th overall.
Abby’s pole got stuck in the Giant Slalom which caused her to be disqualified on her second run. Being one of the Ranger’s best skiers, the Rangers fell to last place in the giant slalom. Although, junior Eden Growney with a time of 59.98 seconds placed first for the Rangers and 37th overall. Senior Cakki Mehney came in second for FHC with a time of 1:07.51, placing 49th. Coming in third in the GS, Junior Sina Korb placed 50th with an overall time of 1:08.03. Abby led the Rangers in the Slalom placing 5th overall with a time of 1:05.16. With a time of 1:30.14, Sina placed second for the Rangers and 50th overall. In third for FHC, Cakki placed 48th overall with a time of 1:30.54.
Because of the undesirable skiing weather the first couple of weeks this season, many boys and girls skiers were less experienced compared to previous seasons on the steep hill they raced on Tuesday.
“More practice would help raise the confidence of our newer skiers and help them ski more aggressively next week,” Assistant coach Hillary Klopcic said.
The Rangers are back on the slopes on Tuesday, January 28th to compete in their 4th conference race.
Ally Francisco is a senior and this year is her first year on staff. She plays soccer and runs cross country for FHC. Next fall she is playing soccer at...