Minnesota State High School 2002-2003 Season Preview
November 11, 2002
Today marks the official start to the 2002-2003 Minnesota
High School Cross-Country Ski Racing season.
Last year was one of the more challenging season's on record.
A lot of skiers didn't get on snow until sometime in January,
and in many cases, they had to substitute a lot of dryland
training for skiing. Trollhaugen hosted a number of metro
area meets, and most of the sectionals had to be rescheduled
to new venues because of the lack of snow. However, Giants
Ridge had enough snow to pull off another great State Meet.
Hopefully snow will not be a factor again this season. Regardless,
there should be some big shakeups in the State Meet once again
this year...
Individuals
There is never a sure bet in racing, especially at the high
school level. Last season, Lindsey Weier looked poised to
capture the title, but then made U.S. history by being one
of the youngest women to
Roseville's Tim Damrow at
last year's State Meet |
ever make the Olympic ski team. This season, Courtney Dauwalter
appears on paper to be the leading candidate for the title.
Dauwalter has been training hard this summer, and has already
been on-snow this fall. Challenging Dauwalter for that overall
title will be Cayley Baird (Stillwater), Nichole Olson (Elk
River), Brynden Manbeck (Grand Rapids), Kari Lonemann (Grand
Rapids), and Dauwalter's own teammate, Shannon Bergstedt.
On the boys side, the early showdown appears to be between
2002 State Cross-Country champion Garrett Heath of Winona
and Roseville's Tim Damrow. Damrow's classical strength may
be enough to hold off Heath again this season. However, there
are a number of skiers ready to make things difficult for
the duo, including Ben Byrne (Grand Rapids), Bob Baldwin (St.
Cloud), Aaron Roessler (Grand Rapids), and Bryan Gastonguay
(Burnsville).
Teams
Hopkin's boys graduated six of the seven members of last
year's winning team, making it very difficult for them to
repeat this season. However, many of the last year's other
top teams also had strong cases of "senioritis".
Our favorites this season include the youthful St. Louis Park
team, returning all but one of their members from last year's
close 5th place finish. If they've improved on their classical
technique, they may hold off Roseville for the overall crown.
Not to be counted out, Grand Rapids will be returning Byrne
and Roessler, both top 10 finishers in the freestyle event,
and should turn up some strong teammates again this year.
Hopkins skiers and White Noise Team members
training at Trollhaugen earlier this month. |
While the Hopkin boys will most likely not repeat, the Hopkin
girls are nearly a lock to walk away with the title. Losing
only skier from last year's dominating championship team,
they will be the team to beat all season (and watch out next
season, Dauwalter is the only returning senior!). Behind Hopkins,
there could be a tight race for second place. Stillwater should
be there again this season, especially with repeat performances
from Baird and Katie Stalland. Roseville seems to grow new
superstars each season, with Rita White being the big surprise
last season (possibly a new Salvatore -- Toni, this season?).
And Grand Rapids will challenge as well, with last year's
sensation Manbeck, along with Lonemann, leading the way.
The Minnesota High School Racing season is ready to
roll, let's fire up the classic
Monday Night Football music and start hitting the boards..
Major Dates
- Dec.
6 Montebello Relays, Bemidji, MN
- Dec.
7 Duluth East Classic, Duluth, MN
- Dec.21
Holiday Relays, St. Paul, MN
- Jan.
4 Mesabi Invite, Biwabik, MN
- Jan.11
ABCC Relays, Coon Rapids, MN
- Jan.11
Bemidji Pursuit Race, Bemidji, MN
- Jan.11
Graystone Challenge, St.Cloud, MN
- Jan.27
NW Suburban Championships, Maple Plain, MN
- Jan.30
Arrowhead Championships, Grand Rapids, MN
- Feb.13-14
Minnesota State Meet
| Many metro area stores offer great high school
packages and pricing. Check out Gear
West, Finn
Sisu, and Hoigaards,
for the latest equipment and details on special packages/pricing.
In addition, Fast
Wax offers a special program for high school teams.
|
Related links
|
