Blake boys nip Minnetonka for Alpine title
By Nick Clark
Sun Newspapers
(Created: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 10:27 PM CST)
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Michael Ankeny's reputation has been built on his ability to go down a hill on skis, but last Thursday, that changed.
The Blake School sophomore fell on his first run during the team competition of the boys state Alpine ski meet at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, Minn.
But, instead of taking his time getting back up the hill and around the gate, Ankeny ran - in his skis - and by doing so, provided the difference in the Bears winning their second consecutive state team title.
"We have a great uphill team and down hill team," joked Blake head coach Bob Teslow. "What an effort though."
That effort helped give Blake a two point win over a second place Minnetonka team that placed all four of its skiers in the top 11.
Ankeny, Blake's top skier, ended up in 15th to round out the Bears' scoring. Marc Massie finished second, Peter Ankeny - Michael's older brother - ended up fourth and Jason Briggs placed 10th for Blake.
However, had Ankeny not made up that valuable time with his sprint back up the hill, there would have been no state title.
The Skippers were that close.
"We would have liked to win, but that was the spirit of ski racing," said Minnetonka head coach Steve Lindemer. "You see some people hike to the gate they missed, and he ran. He is really passionate about the sport, and that is what did it for them. Without that drive for the sport and that run, it would have been a different outcome."
Lindemer went on to say that he was still thrilled with his team's performance.
Minnetonka was led by sophomore Tucker Hurrelbrink's sixth place finish. Senior C.J. Johnston finished just behind his teammate in seventh place, senior Justin Johnson ended up ninth and junior Connor Johnson rounded out the Skipper skiers with an 11th place finish.
"The boys definitely skied to their potential, which I knew they could do," Lindemer said. "I am extremely proud of them."
The Minnetonka girls also participated in the team state meet. They placed eighth, but had three falls in the second run.
"In state championships, you put down the fastest run you possibly can and sometimes you go a little bit over that edge," Lindemer said. "Our girls, their first run, put down the fastest skiing I've seen from them all year, so they were ready and they knew they had to really stretch out their ability and go for it, and they did. There is no shame in how it ended up."
A few hours after celebrating the team championship with his teammates, Michael Ankeny was back on the hill for Blake, taking part in the individual portion of the boys Alpine meet.
And this time there was no falling down.
Michael Ankeny had the fastest run both times to capture the individual title as well with a two-run time of 1:03.84, completing the Alpine skiing state title sweep for the Bears.
"I think a lot of people thought he was the favored racer, but when he had that fall in the team race, there were probably some questions out there," Teslow said. "I think Michael probably wanted to make sure that everybody knew his goal was to win a state championship, and he went out there and did that."
Massie finished third in the individual race for Blake, and Peter Ankeny ended up sixth, a feat that in a sense was as impressive as his younger brother's win.
Peter Ankeny missed most of the season with a knee injury, but Teslow said he never missed a practice and was determined to be a part of Blake's state meet team.
"It was something that was really special," Teslow said. "I know that the kids will remember and certainly the coaching staff will remember what kind of dedication he put in to get himself in a situation where he could participate."
Johnston and Johnson also participated in the individual meet for Minnetonka, finishing 14th and 16th respectively.
"Being in two different races in one day takes a lot of energy out of these kids," Lindemer said. "For them to be able to race in the team competition and have all the anxiety, stress and pressure of that race; to bounce back and make two more full throttle runs is pretty remarkable and they both skied pretty well."
Other area skiers competing in the individual portion included Wayzata's Dustin Akerman, Billy Buffington and Rob Woodworth.
Both Buffington and Woodworth fell and ended up placing near the bottom of the competition. Akerman finished in 18th place with a total time of 1:11.71.
Hopkins senior Ryan Folin also went down and ended up in 34th place, while Benilde-St. Margaret's sophomore Nate Hansen didn't finish his race.
In the girls individual race, Benilde-St. Margaret's Andrea Radke led all area skiers with a fourth place finish. Fellow Red Knight Haley Hickok placed 17th in that race. Minnetonka's Diane Ahern placed 32nd and Hopkins' Sarah Read-Brown ended up in 33rd place.
Reprinted with permission Sun Newspapers
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