Wisconsin High School Season Preview
The Wisconsin High School Championships move to Rhinelander for the 2007 edition, home to Olympian Chris Cook and the very alive and well Hodag ski program. With a venue at the rolling Northwoods Ski Trails located just to the west of the city, the 300 expected competitors will be treated to the best the club and community can offer on February10-11. The pursuit format is once again being used (weather permitting) with a two-at-a-time skate start for the first event and the Saturday's results being used on Sunday for the classic chase and individual title. Of course, this will now be considered the second championships of the state after the sprint freestyle relay weekend in Madison on Saturday, January 13.For both titles, again, the Hayward Hurricanes have to be considered the odds-on favorites. On the boy's side, the return of senior Kyle Fredrickson and junior Matt Pierce give other coaches and individual skiers great pause. As the returning number one and two skiers last year, and with what looks like a great summer of training they form the nucleus of what should be an extremely strong group. Sure, they lost number three skier Jesrin Gaier to graduation, but juniors John Grossi and Billy French look more than able to fill the shoes. Others also lurk not too far down the results list for additional support. With one of the largest clubs in the state, experienced coaches, and local skiing knowledge, Hayward will be tough to unseat as champions.
Number two Lakeland (Minocqua) returns with the same general cast of characters, but the training hours are going to be the telling of the tale, and at this time Hayward has the edge. Team leader Zeke Fashingbauer's number five spot from last year is again attainable and perhaps a move up onto the podium with the right combination of factors. Seniors Doug Kozeluh, Conor Bolger, and Wes Gable all are back with more experience, strength, and enthusiasm. The team looks poised for a return to the podium; which step is open for speculation. The team has high energy and a great set of ski skills honed by hours on the alpine slopes under the tutelage of PSIA Demo Team member, Dan Clausen. Whether they have the right combination for either the sprint relay or the distance pursuit as they attempt to unseat Hayward will be a source of speculation until the events decide.
Of course others also will contend for honors with Wausau Newman being foremost. The tandem of Pete Allmann and Matt Doede both experienced and committed to the effort will support the return of team leader Chris Bowler, whose early season form looks like a lock on a podium spot. Host Rhinelander should be inspired and have the feel good experience of a home course and loyal local crowd. Lead by senior Jeff Cook of the famous family lineage, Steve Teclaw and Bart VanDerPuy should lend able backing
Individuals without the necessary depth of team strength also will play a role in the final standings. Leading freshman last year, Birken Shimp of Madison West will be there and with a eleventh under his belt from last year, will, no doubt, be looking for better placing. Ole Odden of Spooner (born to ski with a name like that) will have a senior moment, as the top ten is a possibility after number 17 last year. Brn Hugus of Wausau will also be a factor as the junior shows what a summer of marathon canoe racing does for ski standings and could move into the top ten. Brian Plinier and Daniel Putman from Ashwaubenon will likely break into the top echelon. Waukesha West will also make a dent in the final standings, with junior Luke Gesior providing the main firepower.
The girl's side also looks like a repeat of the boy's team predictions with some subtle differences. Gone are last years state champion from Lakeland, Heather Bassett. Also gone is Hayward's Maria Grossi where ironically both are roommates at the Nordic powerhouse Northern Michigan University, AKA, Sten's Ski Factory. However on the Hayward side freshman phenom Molly Burger , number three last year, returns with a good summer of training under her. But then, number four, Corrine Malcolm has taken the year off for a foreign student exchange, and while Jenny Narverson is gone, sister Michelle looks able to move forward to uphold the family traditions. Add in freshman Elizabeth Simak and a large team number to develop, and you have a very strong set of "likelys" near the front of the pack.
Lakeland, although unable to match the loss of power of a state champion, will still be able to field a very competitive group. Senior Joanna Pace (in 8th last year) will return stronger than ever. Teammate Alice Fehlandt has recovered nicely from last year's broken arm and will look to move up from 11th. Joining the two will be junior Jill Iverson and seniors Katelyn Goll and Julie Poggemann. Freshman Dana Roach shows promise and will be an unknown factor until competition.
Waukesha West will be chomping at the bit to get into the fray. A perennial D1 champion in cross-country running, many of the girls migrate to skis after the championships in November. Rollerskis that is, in most cases, although this year they had an early season blessing and squeezed out a series of home course ski workouts while the north continued Dryland. Returning Laura Koch, Alyssa Beste, and Sarah Joost should give the others on the team something to shoot for and that means trouble for lots of other teams. Season snow droughts seem to just make them tougher and their coaches more diligent, so the stage is set for something dramatic to happen.
Wausau West will be back with two outstanding individuals and that may be enough to give chase and concern for other teams. Eileen Burke was number six last year and the second freshman overall. Looking strong at the early season Grandview, MI races she appears ready to finish in the top five this year. Brittany Drengler, as a junior, looks to have matured and with a good summer of training is ready to get into the top rankings. With a third skier, they could be contenders for a podium spot. As always, who wants it?
Rhinelander finished in fifth last year and certainly has the potential to move up the standings. Karina Katcho, Kelsey Daniels, and Linell Grezsik are all back and with a little bit of luck all the hometown advantages could bring them smiles.
Individual titles are always hard to predict early in the season, but Melanie Hoffman of Ashwaubenon is definitely in the driver's seat. With outstanding results at Grandview in both the skate sprints and classic distance events she looks to have a lead that will be difficult for ski time to makeup. A great summer of training, including a Lake Placid camp with some elites, makes for outstanding results. Unless the wheels fall off the bus, she has my vote. Teammate Robyn Lauritsen will be the strong second and again with a third skier, they will have something impressive to show as a team.
2007 may be memorable for the lack of snow, but when the teams show up in Madison for the Capital Sprints and later in Rhinelander for the distance pursuit title you can bet that there will be no lack of enthusiasm. When skiers converge, the bibs get handed out, bells clang, crowds appear, and suddenly thoughts of snow leave the mind; we're off to the races. Let the best program, team, training plan, execution, technique, and individual talent combine with the inner motivation and effort we all seek, pay off to the champions.