Alpine Skiers set to hit the state meet slopes

Alpine skiers are first on the slopes this week when the Minnesota State High School High School League holds the first of two annual meets on Feb. 16 at Giants Ridge near Biwabik. More than 200 participants in both boys and girls will chase team and individual championships.

A new champion will be crowned on the boys’ side of the competition. The eight team qualifiers are Hastings and Woodbury, Section 4; Minnetonka and Brainerd, Section 5; Edina and Eden Prairie, Section 6 and Duluth East and Blaine, Section 7. Lakeville South was the team champion in 2021.

Eden Prairie senior Jakob Zeller is the highest returning entrant in the individual competition. He placed sixth during the state meet in 2021. Minnetonka junior JD Landstrom, who placed ninth in 2020, and Edina senior Adam Berghult also figure to be in the hunt for an individual championship. In 2021, Berghult had the second fastest time following the first run, but was disqualified on the second run.

Edina returns for what the Hornets hope is a repeat of its championship from last year. Also in the team competition are Hill-Murray and Stillwater Area (Section 4); Minnetonka and Blake (Section 5); Edina and Eagan (Section 6) and Duluth East and Chisago Lakes (Section 7).

Blake senior Ava Philstrom is the defending individual champion. In 2021, she had a winning two-run time of 1:15.54 to win by nearly a full second over Lakeville North senior Peyton Servais. Philstrom will be the sixth skier down on the first run and seventh in the rotation on the second run.

Here is a look at the schedule for Wednesday’s Alpine Skiing State Meet:

• 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. --- Registration --- Coaches in Timing Building
• 9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. --- Workers Meeting in Timing Building
• 9 a.m. --- 9:50 a.m. --- Course Inspection
• 10 a.m. --- First run
• Noon-12:50 p.m. --- Course inspection
• 1 p.m. --- Second run
• 2:30 p.m. --- 3:30 p.m. --- Tabulation
• 3:30 p.m. --- 4 p.m. --- Awards Presentation