The 2008 season brings mixed expectations for the boys and girls Birmingham Unified ski teams.
The boys team comes into the 2008 season determined to erase the memories of failing to qualify for the state meet. Led by junior twins Nick and Zach Hill, the team looks to get over the hump with most of their varsity roster back this year.
Zach Hill saw the state meet slip away from the team last year where they were eight points away from qualifying at regionals. He knows setting the bar high will make him and his teammates push even harder.
“Only losing one guy last year, we are hoping to make top four at states,” said Hill.
According to Hill, head coach Joe Minock has similar expectations about the team. Hill said Minock wants to take it one step at a time by first winning leagues.
With the expectations even higher than last year, Zach knows his leadership will be key as a captain. According to Hill, achieving their goals will all start with the intense dry land practices.
“I have to get everyone where they need to be by the end of the season,” said Hill.
The boys team is looking to get into an easier regional at Brighton because the one at Pine Knob has three of the top five teams in the state. Also, Mt. Brighton is usually where the boys team has their home meets.
The Hill twins are loaded with natural ability, so they expect a great deal out of themselves.
“I want to win the league and finish top eight at states,” said Zach Hill.
“I would be satisfied with a top ten finish at regionals and making it to states,” said Nick Hill.
With all the activities that go on throughout the year for BUST, many prefer to do different things while a part of the team besides skiing. Nick Hill believes there is more to BUST than just the skiing aspect.
“I enjoy getting to know the other kids from Groves,” said Hill.
On the other hand, Zach Hill is all about the skiing. He enjoys the daily workouts most during the season with the ski team.
“I get to ski every day,” said Hill.
With the girls team in a rebuilding process, they know that during the season they have nothing to lose. Senior captain Kayla Elias realizes the results might not be special, but the effort should always be there.
“We’ll try our best at what we do,” said Elias.
Head coach Joe Minock expects a lot from the girls team. However, he preaches that trying your hardest is what impresses him the most.
The girls team has won the Mt. Brighton Division the past 2 years, but they know that this year is a brand new team.
Elias realizes that the coaches expect a lot from her. She embraces this responsibility. Her favorite aspect of being a captain is helping out the underclassmen.
“The underclassmen really look up to the captains,” said Elias. “They come to us for advice about skiing and other stuff.”
Elias said the girls ski team is all about the welcoming, family-like atmosphere. Spending almost every evening together during the week, they are basically family in the winter. This is what Elias enjoys most about BUST.
“Cliques don’t really mean anything to us,” said Eias. “It’s really great to see everyone having a great time sharing their love for skiing.”
