Traverse City Record-Eagle

Skiing

January 12, 2010

Trojan skiers open with sweep

West boys second, SF third

FROM STAFF REPORTS

HARBOR SPRINGS -- Traverse City Central opened the downhill ski season in style Monday at Boyne Highlands.

The Trojans swept the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Invitational.

The girls dominated, beating runner-up Manistee, the defending Division 2 state champ, 45-124.

The boys led a 1-2-3 finish by Traverse City teams. Central came in with 66 points, West 88 and St. Francis 152.

Maddie McLachlan and Ellen Whiting were the stars in the girls' race. McLachlan won the giant slalom (1:15.76) and took second in the slalom (1:38.14), while Whiting captured the slalom (1:37.85) and placed third (1:18.27) in the giant slalom.

Central was second to Marquette in the Division 1 state finals a year ago and coach Mike Waning lost just one senior off that team.

"This is a strong team," he said. "There's a long ways to go, but if they stay together, and stay healthy, this should be a fun season."

The Trojans certainly have depth. Mallory Weaver finished seventh (1:43.04) and Sierra Olsen 10th (1:45.28) in the slalom Monday. Adrienne Bruder took 10th (1:19.48) and Olsen 11th (1:19.98) in the giant slalom.

"The girls are right there with each other," Waning said. "They push each other. On any given day, any one of them could lead the team."

West was second after the morning slalom race, but faltered in the afternoon, finishing sixth. Nicole Schroeder (1:44.4) led the Titans, placing ninth in the slalom. Elle Rivard took 14th (1:49.25) and Monica Hessler 15th (1:50.22). Madi Lawton had the best GS finish at 25th (1:24.60).

West's lineup includes two freshmen, a sophomore and a junior.

"They showed potential," West coach Ed Johnson said. "The slalom is usually the more difficult (discipline)."

Clark Phelps paced the Central boys to victory. He won the slalom (1:22.82) and was fourth (1:12.40) in the giant slalom.

"Clark's put a ton of work in -- and it showed," Waning said.

Calvis Horburg came in seventh (1:28.03), Briggs Chapman eighth (1:29.10), Micah Appel ninth (1:29.69) and Mark Madion 10th (1:30.39) in the slalom. Chris Carefoot was ninth (1:15.51) in the giant slalom.

"The boys stepped up to the plate," Waning said. "They were very consistent, especially in the slalom. That's where they shined (Monday)."

West was also strong in the slalom as Ryan Ness took third (1:25.28), Lee Batcha fourth (1:26.26) and Joey Caraccio fifth (1:27.21). Ness took seventh (1:14.95) and Caraccio 10th (1:16.04) in the giant slalom, an event won by Greg Doherty of Harbor Springs.

"They skied fairly well," Johnson said. "They're not skiing at their full potential yet, but it was a good start to the season."

Johnson does not have a senior in his top six.

St. Francis sophomores Tyler Hansen and Stephen Siddall earned top six finishes in the giant slalom. Hanson was fifth, Siddall sixth. Hanson placed 13th and Siddall 14th in the slalom.

"We have a solid team," Gladiators coach Brad Miller said. "Tyler's a raw talent, Stephen's a phenomenal technician. I'm pleased with the way we skied (Monday)."

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