The Oxford/Brandon Varsity Ski Teams started their season on Jan.16 at Mt. Holly and seemed to be on the right foot after the girls? team beat Powers High School by one point.
Senior Karen Offer’s quick speeds helped her finish first in the giant slalom with a total time of 45.19 seconds and first in the slalom with 58.14 seconds.
She was followed by senior Miranda Christen with a 48.04 second giant slalom total and 1:06.02 in the slalom. That’s no surprise to coach Ed Haley, though.
‘Both Oxford girls have been doing extremely well,? he said. ‘Right now, Miranda and Karen are actually carrying the team along.?
The boys team, on the other hand, had a shaky start against Powers when only Casey Drayton finished in the top four in slalom with a total time of 1:02.95.
In the giant slalom Drayton and Trevor Delandsheer placed second and fourth with times of 47.06 seconds and 47.59 seconds, respectively.
The next two meets saw the girls lose by four points to Fenton and get ‘smashed? by Flushing. ‘But that’s nothing new,? coach Haley said. ‘They’re the toughest out there.?
Although last week’s meet may not have been victorious, Coach Haley said there have been many improvements in the team’s skills since the beginning of the season.
‘Actually, with my ninth graders, the beginning racers are starting to read courses better,? he said. ‘They’re getting more into a racing style now.?
Coach Haley said the boys? team is also reading the course better and has been improving their speed, while the other girls need to ‘push themselves? more.