Wisconsin High School Championships Preview
Change, a new paradigm. Well, maybe political campaign hype is not just for the national stage. In the arena of Wisconsin High School Nordic skiing, “The Times, They are a Changing” seems to echo down the ski trails and race venues of the state. For years Hayward has been the dominant name in the state and from some perspectives that tradition continues. But, as we all know, there are swings of enrollment and strengths at all high schools and in all sports and so it is with Nordic skiing in Wisconsin this year.
For the top girls’ teams the song remains the same; Hayward, Hayward, Hayward. Senior Molly Buger won the always tough Giant’s Ridge Invitational Classic event and she’s helped by freshman Nicolette Amber and junior Elizabeth Simak. Together they form a formidable force for the other girls in Wisconsin to ski against.
Working hard to give Hayward a scare is the Wausau West team that includes the sisters Ashley and Megan Marshall and they’ll be helped by Hailey Feltz. As the number two girls team last year they lost top skiers Brittany Drengler, Eileen Burke and Stephanie Lynch, however the remaining girls have been skiing well all year and will provide plenty of drama.
Wausau East will also bring depth when they put together the team of Bethany Heeren, Maggie Priebe, Melissa Heeren, and Krista Maguire. They have plenty of punch and should be especially effective in the classic event, being well coached in the technique.
Lakeland took a big hit last year with the loss of seniors Jill Iverson and Erin Blow, number 11 and 12 at state. With the return of junior Dana Roach and support from Hannah Weiss and senior Marie Peters, they are well placed to take a run at the second step on the podium. All have been consistent and improving steadily and will have the home course advantage.
Waukesha West (Aka Peak Nordic) always brings depth and quality to the high school championships and 2009 is no different. Lead by sophomore Felicia Geisor (7th in ’08) she will be well supported by Joelle Wightman, Krista White, and Nicole Martens. Together they have the firepower to take a second spot and give Hayward a run.
Spooner has junior Brooke Adams as their leader and she looks to be among the top skiers in the state. She will find able teammates with sophomore Sophia Jarvis and and freshmen Iciar Ocariz and Elizabeth Baumgart.
Ashwaubenon lost number three at state Melanie Hoffman to graduation but will see a strong replacement in a clearly improved junior, Deedra Irwin. Backing her will be senior Rachel Demerath and junior Mary Kozloski. Together they could be a top three team or act as a spoiler for some of the places other teams are looking at.
Individually, Molly Burger of Hayward leads the pack, but could be pursued by a host of others, including her teammates. Each of the teams mentioned above has a leader who could be a factor and will be pushing the pace in both techniques to see what they can do. “State” is funny meet in that the variables of pressure from a variety of sources, ski selection, waxing and structure, strength in the two techniques, and the most intense competition of the year all play a part in making a clear prediction difficult. Again, as has been the case for many years, it’s for Hayward to lose; they’re in the driver’s seat and they’ve been there before, very successfully, thank you.
The boys’ team outlook is murky at best. While Hayward has had some dominant teams, they’ll be challenged by a number of teams from around the state in ’09. Dylan McGarthwaite, undefeated in the CXC JO Qualifiers as a J2 (the 14-15 year old class) leads the team. As a strong individual he propels the team into the forefront of others and is aided in team scoring by junior Walker VanDixhorn, and alternating freshman, John Parr and senior Andy Kreyer, depending on technique. They have tradition and they have an all star coaching staff. Whether they can bring it all together at the big show remains to be seen.
Heir apparent to the throne has to be Wausau West. Number one skier, Ben Hugus, has had a great run at the Junior Olympic Qualifiers throughout the Midwest and took a chilly trip to Anchorage, AK looking for higher levels of competition. Backing Ben are the Nichols’ brothers, Chris and Matt, both strong skiers and aided by the other Hugus brother, Mark. Together they’ll be loaded for bear and well coached to boot.
Training together has some benefits as the next in line for expectations are cross town rivals, Wausau East. Lead by Mark Punzenberger, things could get interesting with this crew. Freshman Adam Martin is skiing beyond his years and number three man Adam Sorenson has been steadily improving.
Waukesha West has changed from a varsity team into a club to include more of the skiers in their area who were without team and coaching support; smart move. Now with the number two skier from last year, Matt Dugan, they have an improved team standing with the addition of previous outlier Eddie Gurney. They also have returning Adam Geissler, Tom Sawicki, and David Joda to help out and lend experience. This is no dark horse sleeper combo, this is the real deal. When Dugan puts his head down they all get inspired and gain energy from their leader. The coaching staff is versatile, upbeat, and experienced. If Las Vegas calls, this is a good one to go with, and they have pretty new white suits to boot.
Number six team last year, CANSKI, from Ashland, Washburn, and points in-between, looks to move up. Team leader, junior Scott Johanik has had some great races this year and has a skiing amigo in senior Levi Illick. If they have a third they may be in business for a team podium.
Iola has a strong tradition in Nordic skiing, including jumping, and will field a team lead by senior Paul Choudoir. He won the Hodag Challenge January on the 2007 Championship course in Rhinelander and has Logan Johnson and Andy Fehrenbach skiing close behind. Traditionally strong in the skate, they’ll need a good classic leg to be in the hunt near the end. Early season results look like they’ve been working well and improving from race to race.
Ashwaubenon will have Phil Anshutz to score serious points and with some help from Aron Block, Sam Egelhoff, and Matt Medich could surprise some.
OK, now for the inside scoop on Lakeland. Losing only one senior last year, and with 19 boys out for the team, Lakeland has to be in one of its strongest positions in years. Sophomore Kevin Bolger keeps getting faster and happier as the season gets longer and qualified for the Midwest Team as a J2. Senior Mac Olsen bests him occasionally, with fellow senior Nathan Illtis close behind. Craig Kozeluh has been knocking on the door all season, keeps getting more confident, and is due for a breakout race. And just to make the in-house competition interesting, behind them is a snarling pack of JV hounds nipping at their heels. Should be interesting.
The individuals from each team will provide our top ten podium finishers with a few additions. Madison will offer Birken Shimpff as a contender and could be a factor after finishing 6th last year. Other lesser or unknowns sometimes arise at state and the applecart could be upset.
With over 350 registered skiers there are a host of possibilities, but as Dairy State “sconies” we have to go with an old farm saying in making our predictions, “The cream always rises to the top”. Best wishes to all competitors, and from a farm in another galaxy, “May the force be with you”.
Schedule of Events
Friday, February 6, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Course Inspection and Training
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Wax Area Open -Chalet and Maintenance Building
4:00 p.m. Course closed for grooming
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Bib Packet Pickup-Lakeland Union High School
4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wax Area Open-LUHS
6:00 p.m. Coaches Meeting-LUHS Distance Learning Lab
Saturday, February 7, 2009
7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Wax Area Open
9:00 a.m. Girls’ Classical Race – 15 second individual starts
10:00 a.m. Boys’ Classical Race – 15 second individual starts
11:00 a.m. MS Girls’ Classical Race -individual starts
11:30 a.m. MS Boys’ Classical Race - individual starts
12:00 p.m. Course Closed for Grooming
1:30 p.m. Girls’ Freestyle Pursuit
2:30 p.m. Boys’ Freestyle Pursuit
3:30 p.m. MS Girls’ Freestyle-Mass Start
4:00 p.m. MS Boys’ Freestyle-Mass Start
5:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. Pasta Dinner – LUHS Commons
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Awards – LUHS Auditorium
8:00 p.m. - 10:00p.m. Social Event- LUHS Commons
Sunday, February 8, 2009
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Open Skiing-Minocqua Winter Park
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Donut Ski
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Teeter-Totter
12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Radar Gun Run
Note: Entry fee includes skiing at WP for all three days, including two coaches per team.