By John Raffel
This could be quite a season for the Clare ski team.
Coach Tim Gariglio expects his team to make a lot of noise in the Central Alpine Ski Conference.
“The girls ski team is returning all of its members from last season which gives the team experience and some depth this season,” he said. “The team finished third in the conference last season. Kennedy Blackburn led the team last season and finished strong with a 38th place in G.S. at state finals last year. Also, returning is senior Maddie Potter who was out due to knee injury last season and there is an addition of several rookies this season.
“On the boys side the team finished first in the conference last season, won several invitations and just missed the state finals by a few points last season. Seniors Max Hofweber and Justin Roberts both qualified for states last year and will be helped by several other returning seniors and other underclassman who will contribute. Both teams are focusing on being a good team member and supporting each other this season.”
Clare’s strength its season will be its team unity.
“I expect both teams to be good team members and support one another,” Gariglio said. “I expect them to be a good representative of their school, parents, and coaches and give 100 percent. Both teams need to work on the fundamentals of skiing. Everything starts with the basics and the better we are with them the better we will be.
“Both teams have set goals to be competitive in the conference.”
Other schools
Mount Pleasant’s women’s finished ninth in Division 2 last season and expects to have another good winter. Other area teams competing are Okemos, Rockford, Saginaw Heritage and Mount Pleasant.