Team Afton – made up of kids from Hudson, Somerset and Eau Claire – is preparing for upcoming races at Afton Alps in Hastings, Minnesota, despite many challenges.
In Wisconsin, for example, alpine skiing is no longer an official school sport.
“It’s a different group of people, different friends,” eighth-grader Brookelyn Novak said.
Novak plans to play soccer at Hudson High School next year and currently plays in the Hudson Soccer Association. But this sport is a little different. “It’s kind of over now,” she said.
Kris Novak, a self-proclaimed “involved parent” and father to Brookelyn, has two of his children in the development ski team program.
“I’m trying to get some of these area players represented in the state,” Kris said. “That is our goal: the Wisconsin high school system.”
Skiers compete in three different categories: slalom, giant slalom and super-giant or “super G” slalom. Skiers must move between poles in each category, but in giant slalom the poles are further apart than in regular slalom, and in super-G the distance between poles is even greater, putting more emphasis on speed, Kris says.
Angela Raven’s son, Chase, practiced with Afton and was on the Wisconsin All-State Team for the past two years. Now he is a freshman on the University of Maine-Farmington ski team, which is in Division III, but logistical costs such as travel are covered by his university. Angela’s daughter, Alyssa, is in ninth grade and still skis on the Afton team. He attends Hudson High School through a virtual program.
“It’s a high school sport, and since we don’t have a high school team, our kids compete against other high schools. [and don’t] please excuse your presence,” Angela said. “And honestly, it would be nice if the athletic directors noticed that.”
“they compete in high school competitions as part of the state high school competition and they don’t get recognition at the high school level, and that’s important for kids.”
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) is the official high school sports league in the state. In short, if a high school runs a “scholastic sport,” it is through the WIAA.
Multiple people familiar with the matter said the WIAA recognized downhill skiing as an official sport in the 1970s but later dropped it due to high costs and low participation.
Kris described Hudson’s current situation as a “dead zone”, meaning there is no conference nearby representing them and skiing is not a school sport. He said that’s why they rely on parents, coaches and volunteers to support organize events.
Jill Dunlavy is one such coach. Dunlavy created the Blue Hills Ski Club, which is a team from Rice Lake, Cameron, Barron and Shell Lake high schools. Dunlavy’s parents, along with another couple, started the Mt. ski team. Hardscrabble, which eventually evolved into what is now Dunlavy’s Club.
Her team trains on Friday, Saturday and Sunday because the hill where they train is only open then. Blue Hills Ski Club also trains twice a week at the gym, doing strength exercises such as lateral lunges, hamstring workouts and shoulder exercises. Skiers obviously need robust legs to be able to move downhill, and the team works on the arms to avoid injuries during falls.
“The only reason basketball, football and any other sport continues to grow is because there are people who are passionate about them,” Dunlavy said.
Will the WIAA ever bring the sport back under its umbrella? League communications director Todd Clark isn’t positive.
“It didn’t come up in conversation,” Clark said.
However, the WIAA is adding lacrosse. Clark said the league has thought about adding bowling in the past to encourage athletes who don’t usually play sports. Skiing has another downside: There are more bowling alleys in the state than usable ski slopes.
“If it’s more of a high school sport and there aren’t a lot of places to play it, it’s difficult,” Clark said.
The Wisconsin High School Alpine Racing Association (WHSARA) has stepped in as the governing body for alpine skiing in the state.
Bob Butler, head coach of the Madison West team, serves on the WHSARA board of directors. He said the league’s goal should be to develop children as snowboarders and skiers and carry those activities into adulthood, as well as to create bonds among team members.
“Overall, the organization relies on volunteers,” Butler said. “The nice thing about this is that we need a lot of support from parents and student-athletes to do this.” Butler has coached football and baseball, but finds the ski and snowboard community more collegial. “It’s really refreshing.”
Last winter, for the first time in decades, Trollhaugen hosted the Wisconsin high school race. Dunlavy said she wanted to support restore the invitation because she noticed not many skiers from the St. Croix to Superior. So she helped organize it with Novak and others.
“I just want it to be offered to me,” Dunlavy said. “At least the school supports players who want to treat it as a sport.”
This year, ski clubs had to postpone the Trollhaugen Invite due to high temperatures and lack of snow – more complications that make skiing different from winter sports like basketball.
However, Hudson’s group did manage to compete in an approved race in La Crosse, Wisconsin, another event that was originally rescheduled for January 24. Kris’ son, Tyler, finished 15th in one of the races.
“Just their smiles at the finish line,” Kris said when asked about his favorite part of the sport. “Just the camaraderie of cheering everyone on.”
