Hartland Skiers Compete in State Meet Today

For the first time in at least 14 years, Hartland is sending a ski team to compete in the state finals Monday in the Upper Peninsula.

The girls team qualified during the Feb. 17 regionals at Mt. Brighton to advance to the finals at Marquette Mountain. Colin David from the boys team also qualified as an individual.

"I'm pumped to go back," said sophomore Mallory Reader, who qualified as an individual last year and would like a top 10 finish this year.

The girls team, which qualified with a third place finish, surprised many by advancing because the Eagles finished the regular season with a 5-4 record and has a small contigent — only five skiers in a sport that scores the top four. The team is now ranked ninth by coaches in the state.

"I'm very proud of the girls," Reader said. "We all really stepped it up on (at regionals), and skied our best. (The night before) I never would have expected."

Hartland ski coach Glenn Makin said he's hoping for a middle of the pack finish, noting the competition only gets tougher at states. He said the conditions will be challenging, too, with longer runs and bigger hills on the Marquette course.

Makin said he's proud of the skiers' accomplishments.

"They did what they were training for all year," he said.

Click on the PDF for the regional results.