Last year the Oxford-Brandon ski team took winter sports to the top of the hill by placing third in the district in both slalom and giant slalom runs.
Ski Coach Ed Haley said finishing third was a great showing because the first and second place teams (Flushing and Fenton) were the powerhouse teams to beat.
‘There is a lot of talent and ability on this team,? Haley said. ‘Every one of these kids has the ability to make a winning team.?
With the core strength of four returning seniors and seasoned veteran Oxford junior Karen Offer, who qualified for state level competition last season, Haley said he’s confident the team will continue to grow.
‘Karen Offer is one of our stand-outs this year,? the coach said.
Look for strong runs from Brandon senior Lauren Bayliss (in the giant slalom) as well as team captain senior Grace Auchterloni and co-captain senior Heather Tiffany, both of Oxford.
‘For our girls, the last few years we’ve been fairly strong and they should continue to be outstanding this year,? he said. ‘We should show strength in all the girls events.?
The team’s five freshman boys will be relying heavily on captain Shawn Dean, an Oxford senior, and co-captain Aaron VanDis, a Brandon junior, to show them the slopes.’It’s a young team with a lot of potential coming down the pike,? Haley said. ‘Our boys are in the building process right now.?
Bundle up and cheer for the slopers at their first meet on Jan. 6 against Flint Powers at Mt. Holly.