Never mind the corporate sponsorships, olympic village training tables and gaudy opening ceremonies ? the Clarkston ski teams were happy just to have some decent winter weather as they competed in divisionals on Feb. 7-8 and the OAA Championships on Feb. 13.
Clarkston’s girls stormed through the OAA Championships, finishing in first place with a total of 15 points. Lake Orion was second at Pine Knob on Feb. 13 with 28 points followed by Lahser (45) and Rochester Adams (70).
‘The girls team is skiing strong right now,? Clarkston Coach Mike Foyteck said.
Clarkston’s Hannah Wolf finished first overall in the OAA championships, which is a slalom only race. Trish Peters finished third overall, Alyssa Vermeulen took fifth and Erica Halsey finished out the Wolves scoring by taking sixth place.
Though they were not in need of their points for the win, Heather Baron (10th overall) and Katie Reis (12th overall) also skied exceedingly well for the Wolves.
‘The skiers in the four, five and six holes are huge in the regional race,? said Foyteck, looking ahead to the regional races scheduled for Feb. 16 in Holly.
In the divisionals, Clarkston’s girls team totaled 39 points far outpacing second place finisher Lake Orion who finished with 103.
Wolf stood out for the Wolves finishing first overall in the giant slalom and second overall in the slalom. Trish Peters (third, slalom and giant slalom) and Erica Halsey (eighth slalom; fifth GS) and Maddy Dunn (sixth GS) were also huge for the Wolves.
The success of the girls team has somewhat overshadowed what on many other teams would be a solid effort by the boys team.
‘We’re having a little bit of a tough time but I still feel good about them,? Foyteck said.
At the close of the divisional races Clarkston’s boys were left in third place with 109.5 points. Waterford United was first overall with 99 and Lake Orion second with 107 points.
The boys top finishers came in the giant slalom where Eric Weiland took fourth overall and Chris Bland finished seventh overall.
That bitter bronze taste waited for the boys team at the close of the OAA championships as well. West Bloomfield won the OAA championship with 29 points followed by Adams with 35. Clarkston took third with 37.
Weiland again stood out for the Wolves in the OAA slalom, finishing second overall. Bradley Gale took ninth overall; Cobie Bland (11th) and Scott Hubert (15th) finished out Clarkston’s scoring.
At the OAA’s the Wolves experienced some unexpected adversity in the form of falls.
‘They (the boys) just don’t have it clicking yet,? Foyteck said.
The coach was happy his team faced problems such as lost skis and hip checks in the divisional round rather than in regionals though.
‘Everyone knows what the regionals are ? that’s our gateway to the state meet,? said Foyteck in regard to both team’s focus.
The Wolves female skiers have won the regional title nine years in a row going into this year’s running in Holly, Feb. 16. The boys have captured the regional crown four times in a row.
The annual SEMSL race also awaits the Wolves? ski teams on Feb. 21.
Should the Wolves qualify for states the state finals are held on Feb. 27 at Boyne Highlands.