Ski team sweeps first meet of the season

PHOTO: Junior Amelia Thacker finishes her second run of the race on Jan. 20, earning her 15th place.

By Lily Schroeder,

BlueDevilHUB.com Staff––

The Davis High ski team had its first race on Jan. 20 after having all prior practices canceled by recent storms.

Despite feeling unprepared, the team came in 1st for both varsity and JV, sweeping all four divisions.

Most racers on the team had barely been on the snow this year, much less a race course. 

“It’s kind of like going in blind and just hoping for the best,” junior Amelia Thacker said.

However, it is not an uncommon occurrence for storms to disrupt skiing conditions. “It’s just something we have to deal with when the weather in California goes crazy,” head coach Mike McMullen said.

Some skiers took it into their own hands to train. “I felt really good (at the race) because I’ve been practicing on my own,” junior June Watterson said. 

Watterson finished 2nd overall for women and 1st for Davis women. 

Unlike Watterson, who has been on the ski team for three years, some skiers were on a race course for the first time on Jan. 20. 

“It’s just been a matter of trying to keep (the new racers) calm, remembering that we’re here to have fun,” McMullen said.

Luckily for the DHS racers, none of the other teams in their league had been able to get to the snow either. “It’s kind of no pressure because nobody’s really had any practices,” Thacker said. “It’s just a lot of fun.” 

To ease into the season, league officials made sure the course was not overwhelming. According to Watterson, the course was “pretty easy,” even for a first race.

Thacker felt similarly. “It’s just a lot of fun with nice (snow and course) conditions,” Thacker said.