The EGR ski team has been shredding the slopes this season, living up to everyone’s high expectations. The weather has been in their favor this year as it has been constantly snowing all season. They’ve been putting in the hard work and have already come so far. With their winter season coming to a close, they have already made their mark on the season.
On Feb. 24, the boys and the girls team went up to Boyne Highlands to compete in the state race. The boys team went home with a state championship for division two, and the girls team finished off the race as the division two state runner-up. The girls competed against Cadillac and GRC, and the boys competed against Cadillac and West Catholic.
Quinn Irwin ‘25 also won the GS race, advancing the boys team even further. The training and dedication has truly paid off, and both teams demonstrated their hard work.
The team had their regional conference on Feb. 10, and both the boys and girls teams placed first. Considering that this has only happened twice in the last 25 years for the EGR ski team, it gave them the confidence boost that they needed at states.
Feb. 17 was Varsity Conference Finals, as well as senior night. The six seniors, Hannah Darooge, Eric Gutek, Sophie Conway, Sam Souter, Quinn Irwin, and Sofia Tison were celebrated before the start of the race at Cannonsburg.
“Racing has just been a big part of my life and the team means so much to me,” Conway said, “It was nice to be able to celebrate the time that the other seniors and I have put into the team.”’
The Varsity Conference Finals was the final home competition of the season, and the team really showed what they have been working towards since the very beginning. The team dynamic this season is astounding, they are all in the same head space.
During meets and practices the team has learned the importance of all pushing each other to perform at their very best. They have been able to bond together since the beginning of the season, especially when they go up north on the weekends for practices and competitions.
“When we go up North we always like to stay together as a team and do lots of bonding activities like team dinners and movie nights,” Darooge said, “it’s so much fun to be with everyone as a group.”
Because of all of their hard work and dedication throughout the season, the team has now successfully brought four wooden mittens back to East. Their effort has paid off, truly demonstrating what they are capable of.
