Danielle Hine has spent part of the past month rollerblading in the back of Brandon High School, 1025 S. Ortonville Road, Ortonville, after class.
That activity is commonplace among high school students her age. However, the Brandon sophomore, 15, normally would be spending this time of year after school practicing with her Brandon-Oxford ski teammates at Mt. Holly Ski Area, 13536 S. Dixie Highway, Holly.
Due to the lack of snow outside, the team has resorted to other physical activities to keep busy, and their scheduled Jan. 10-11 opener against Holly is in doubt.
‘There’s a lot of confusion and chaos,? Hine said. ‘We don’t know what we’re going to do about our first meet.?
She said the last snowfall at Mt. Holly was about a month ago. Since that time, the students have commuted between Brandon and Oxford, running and lifting weights at both schools as well as roller blading behind Brandon High School.
In addition, Hine said several team members, at their own expense, recently traveled to Shanty Creek Schuss Mountain Club Resort in Bellaire to practice.
Brandon Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Tom Rodenbaugh also said the team has been doing a lot of dry land exercises, although he added that does not substitute for practicing on actual snow. He also said Mt. Holly has been trying to manufacture some snow at their resort.
Currently, there are 13 members of the Brandon-Oxford boys ski team and seven members of the girls ski team. Of those team members, only one, Oxford’s Dylan Moore, is a senior and would potentially experience a shortened season in their final year.
Still, the situation has caused uncertainty about the team’s season. Hine said from her understanding, there has been an E-mail sent to the team members regarding the dates and places for future practices and scrimmages, but she has not seen that E-mail.
‘I don’t know if we will have the meet (Jan. 10-11), but I’m still anticipating having a season,? she said.
Hine’s twin brother, Brandon sophomore Jason, 15, said he ‘hasn’t heard anything? from Brandon-Oxford ski Coach Ed Haley about the situation.