File photo ~ Stephan Hoglund ~ www.stephanhoglundphotography.com
The Cook County/Silver Bay Girls Alpine Ski team begins to defend its 2010 Section 7 Championship title with the first meet of the 2010/11 season at Lutsen Mountains on December 10. Can the Viking girls repeat their daunting task?
Well, the entire championship team from last year returns and expectations are high. Returning are seniors: team Captain Molly Rider, Ali Boettcher (Silver Bay), and Amber Todd, junior Katie Smedsted (Silver Bay); sophomores; Rose Ingebrigtsen and Signe Larson; freshman Megan Lehto. In addition, Ava McMillan, eighth grade and Haley Yoki, seventh grade, will make their first appearance with the girls’ varsity team after competing at a high level for several years with the Lutsen Junior development ski program led by Coach Charles Lamb. New recruits also include seventh grader Matea Acero who brings additional youth.
The boys’ team remains strong and expectations also run high. Led by Senior Carl Ingebrigtsen, the boys’ team returns many of its experienced racers including juniors Collin Berglund and Dexter Yoki (Silver Bay), sophomores Luke Fenwick and Kyle Martinson. Freshman Joe Borud returns to the varsity squad, which also includes ninth grader Charlie Lawler who like Ava McMillan, brings experience from the junior development team. Newcomer Roman Schnobrich will add depth to the boys’ team.
Because of its depth, the girls’ team will pose multiple threats. Rider and Larson are returning team- and individual- state-competitors and are expected to lead the team. The depth thereafter is impressive with any combination of Amber, Ali, Megan, Rose, Katie and Ava bringing the team solid scoring opportunities.
While the boys do not have the depth the girls do, they are nonetheless solid. It takes four to score for a team total—and any one of the returning starters is clearly in the mix for top scoring positions.
The coaching staff includes Head Coach Jim Vick and Assistant Coaches Jim Elverhoy and Mike Larson. Vick has been head coach for an unprecedented 14 years while the trio has been together for over a decade.
Come cheer on your Alpine Vikings at Lutsen Mountains on Friday, December 10. The first race starts at 10 a.m. with the second race starting at 1:00 p.m. Anyone interested in volunteering for helping with the race is asked to please contact Mike Larson at 218-370-1536.
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