Clarkston skiers racing for gold effort
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
INDEPENDENCE TWP. — Clarkston returned to the forefront as one of downstate’s most dominant boys ski programs in 2011.
The Wolves had multiple top three finishes at large invitationals in that span. Now, they want to make join fellow Southeastern Michigan boys power Birmingham Brother Rice in an elite class: as a state champion.
Clarkston has finished in the top 10 at the state meet several times over the past four decades, including third place on three different occasions. Last season the Wolves had their best season to date, finishing with the runner-up trophy at the Division 1 state finals.
Brother Rice won the state title in 2007,the sole Class A/Division 1 boys team to take top honors from downstate. The Wolves would love nothing more to join the Warriors in that winners circle.
“We are very experienced, very deep team,” said coach Mike Foyteck.”We have some boys that can really fly. We know how tough the teams are up north but I think if we are healthy come the state finals and we stand, we’ll be right up there again.”
In the past 15 years, Clarkston was third in 2002, 2003 and 2005 and fourth in 2006 and 1997. The Wolves also had top-10 state finishes in 1998 (sixth), 1999 (eighth), 2001, (sixth) and 2004 (fourth).
Clarkston went through three lean years, failing to qualify in 2007, 2008 and 2009, before returning to the finals in 2010 to place ninth. Last year they took the quantum leap to second in the state and hope to challenge for this year’s Division 1 state title.
The Wolves return their top seven racers, plus have added one of the area’s top freshmen that will keep them amongst the best in Southeastern Michigan.
FAST TRACK: Clarkston sophomore Ryan Callahan was part of the Wolves' state runner-up finish in Division 1 last season. File Photo | AdaVan Media Group
Freshmen Derek Van Italle has already made a dent in the lineup for the Wolves, who return several other topflight racers. Sophomores Ryan Callahan, juniors Lance Holsbeke and Alex McIntosh and seniors Grant Huber and Brent Van Italle
Sophomore Nathan Rodgers and junior Evan Trout are also back to give this team two more weapons on the hill. Several of the Wolves’ top skiers earned All-Area, All-League, All-Region and even All-State last winter.
“We have the same team as last year, plus a really good freshman and we have a very good group of eighth graders coming up,” smiled Foyteck. “We should be good for the next 7-8 years. But this, potentially, could be our best team yet.”
Teamwise, Clarkston was a perfect 9-0 in duals at Pine Knob last season and followed that up with a win at the Pine Knob Divisional meet.
Outside of Pine Knob, Clarkston also placed third at both the prestigious Traverse City Invitational and four-division SEMSL meet, won the regional at Mt. Holly and really shined at the Division 1 state finals, finishing second.
Clarkston’s girls are expected to finish in the top third of the Pine Knob Ski League, which has separated itself from the Southeastern Michigan Ski League for the first time since that league was formed decades ago.
“I think our girls will be among the better teams at Pine Knob. They are back on the rise,” offered Foyteck. “We have a really good freshmen class.”
Senior Olivia Dunn and sophomore Karoline Holsbeke join freshmen Lauren Martin, Caroline Spytman and Maddy DeClearcq should all make an impact. Riley Dixon and Amy Woziak also return
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