Voigt, Hill-Murray capture Girls Alpine Skiing State Championships

Hill-Murray junior Taylor Voigt couldn’t contain her joy at ending her Alpine Skiing season at the Minnesota State High School League’s State Meet on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at Giants Ridge near Biwabik. 

“It felt so good to be back,” she said, beaming proudly. “It was so great to be back here will all of these girls.”

A year ago, she didn’t participate in the state meet after experiencing a fall in tough conditions during the Section 4 competition. The tumble not only cost her an opportunity to defend her state championship, but it also, in part, prevented Hill-Murray from having a chance to defend its team crown, too.

A year’s worth of heartbreak helped pave the way for Voigt to become mentally tougher and opportunistic when presented with chances for redemption. It culminated with a second individual championship in the past three seasons. She had the two fastest runs of the day in the 88-skier field, posting a combined winning time of 1 minute, 15.09 seconds in a very competitive field.

Blake senior Vivien Pihlstrom, the individual champion in 2024, was runner-up in a time of 1:15.48. Voigt’s teammate, senior Kate Reardon, was third in 1:15.83. Wayzata junior Sonja Pendergast and Hill-Murray sophomore Hailey Voigt were fourth and fifth, respectively. 

“The conditions were incredible and made for a fast day,” Taylor Voigt said. “My plan is to always do my best, and coming here with this talented field, I needed to be my best.”

Hill-Murray captured the team championship for the second time in three seasons by compiling 179 points. Minnetonka, attempting to successfully defend its team crown, was runner-up with 150. Prior Lake was third at 140.

After placing three in the top five, Hill-Murray added freshman Shea Reardon’s 11^th-place performance in cruising to the championship. 

“To be a double champion is amazing,” Taylor Voigt said. “God had a plan for me today and I am very blessed.”