SPORTS

SKIING
Husband looks to make a mark in the NCAA 

Finn Husband will ski for Colby-Sawyer College, a Division I school in New Hampshire, this year. Courtesy photo

Finn Husband left for Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire last week with his goals clear, work hard and make the ski team.

Finishing high school skiing with a resumé like Husband has accumulated would normally bring an abundance of college scouts and offers in most sports. He won the individual State champion title in both the giant slalom and slalom as a senior and led the GNA ski team to a first place in the Division II State Finals, after three years of being the runner-up team. He was also the State champion in the slalom as a junior, becoming just one of 12 skiers in Michigan high school skiing history to accomplish this back to back feat. A career of regional and conference awards, along with many 1st place finishes has made Husband a standout in the high school skiing world.

Unfortunately, high school accomplishments are not really considered in the world of college skiing.

“There are six schools in the west that have NCAA Division I skiing and 14 in the east, so the competition is really intense to get into college for skiing,” Husband explained. “Colleges don’t really look at what skiers do at the high school level, they look at the FIS points system. Most skiers will take a year after high school to attend a ski academy and lower their FIS scores, and then colleges look at these scores. Colleges really want skiers to go this route. This is expensive and though I considered it, this wasn’t really practical for me. I applied to around 10 colleges. I was persistent in contacting coaches with emails and phone calls.” 

Husband qualified for the 12 member Team Michigan boys ski team, competing at the USSA Eastern Regional Championships in New York in March. 

“This gave me a chance to talk with Colby-Sawyer more, and show them I was dedicated, and I was persistent,” Husband said.

In addition to his high school ski schedule, Husband traveled frequently to compete in races to tally his FIS point score, the only way he could do so without attending an academy. A decision was made to attend St. Olaf College in Minnesota, where Husband could ski and also play soccer at the Division III level. A week before the payment deadline, Husband received a call from Justin Sperry, the head ski coach at Colby-Sawyer, offering him a place on the Charger ski team.

“I had to make a decision, continue with St. Olaf, where I was an admitted student, or follow a dream of mine to ski at the Division I level. I plan on going to medical school, and both schools would fit into this option, both choices were really good options. I talked with my family, and it really came down to what I wanted to do. I went with Colby.”

Husband will join a Charger ski team as a freshman with no academy experience, an unusual situation in the college ski world. As an Elk, Husband earned Division III All-State third team soccer honors as a senior, and the Colby soccer coach offered him a spot on the team. He received summer workout routines from both sports, fitting them into his schedule which included working two jobs.

“I received the skiing conditioning before I got the soccer routine, which goes to show how important skiing is. I am excited to get out and compete against some of the best skiers I have seen,” Husband said.

Coach Sperry is taking a chance on Husband, but he feels that Husband is worth taking that chance.

“I believe Finn will be a great fit athletically and in the team culture of the Chargers ski team. I have been impressed by his professionalism and work ethic, and with what I see in his skiing I believe he will make an impact on our roster as an underclassman. I’m excited to work with him for the next four years and see where his drive and passion for the sport will take him.” He continued, “I certainly considered his high school success when it came to offering him a spot on the roster and went to the Eastern Championships to see him ski, but I looked a lot more closely at his FIS performances. FIS results have a world ranking system attached which allows athletes to be compared (imperfectly) worldwide. This allows me to gauge the level of a competition at a race much more effectively, as well as see how a prospective student athlete does racing against much stiffer competition that is closer to what they will see at the collegiate level. I think he will be a great fit for us, and I know the soccer coach is excited as well.”

Husband will have to work hard to compete at the next level, but the challenge is what drives and motivates him. “I want to ski at the college level and do well for the next four years, then go to med school. I want to be able to tell my own kids someday that you can do this, just like I did.” 
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Best of luck to Finn as he makes the leap from an Elk to a Charger!

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VARSITY FOOTBALL
Orange and Black kicks off season 

Robert Fager (22) concentrates on catching a long ball in a passing drill. Courtesy photo

The annual Orange and Black scrimmage was held at Glowicki Field on Friday evening, signaling the start of Elk Rapids football for the fans.

There were 28 players dressed in full pads as the Elk coaching staff ran the team through offense and defensive sets, special team drills, kickoffs and punt returns, along with blocking and skill drills. The team will wear a number 73 decal on their helmets in memory of Reece Isenhart, a captain of the 2010 regular season undefeated squad who passed away suddenly in July.

The Elks will travel to Clare on Thursday morning for a scrimmage.
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The season opener will be against conference rival Charlevoix on the road on Thursday, August 29. Look for a full preview of the Elk Rapids football team in an upcoming issue of the Elk Rapids News!

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VARSITY SOCCER
Elks tie in season soccer opener 

Matthew Garrow (#8) dribbles past his opponent. Courtesy photo

The Elks began the soccer season against East Grand Rapids on the road Friday, earning a 1-1 tie against the Pioneers.

The Elks led 1-0 after the first half on a goal by Preston Ball off a precision pass from Josh Vandeveer. The Pioneers tied the score on a corner kick with 15 minutes left to play in the second half. A late go-ahead goal from Landen Knight was waved off as a handball, ending the game in the tie. Jack Spencer made his first varsity start in goal, tallying five saves.

“Playing so early after our first practice on Monday was a concern, this is an intense game and we don’t want any injuries,” said Elk varsity soccer coach Nate Plum. “We felt afterwards that we should have won. We had a lot of chances to score, but that is a positive. It was frustrating to watch some of our best ball handlers struggle with their footwork. Our backline did well and held strong for us. We have some cleaning up to do and move forward, I feel we are moving in the right direction.” 
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The Elks hosted Leland, the reigning Division 4 state champions on Wednesday, head to Ludington on Friday and back home against Petoskey on Tuesday in three non-conference contests. Look for a preview of the Elk varsity soccer team next week in the Elk Rapids News!

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VARSITY TENNIS
Elk tennis team plays early meets 

Senior Tyler Ketz hits a return. Courtesy photo

Playing at Traverse City Central on Tuesday, the Elks fell 4-3 to the Traverse City Central JV team. Earning wins were Christian Bush in a battle at #1 singles (6-7, 7-5, 10-5), Gabby Krakow and Tyler Ketz playing #2 doubles (6-4, 6-2) and Monica and Mary Gregorski at #3 doubles (6-4, 7-5). 

Squaring off against the Traverse City West JV the Elks lost 5-2, with wins coming from Ethan Huhn at #4 singles (6-1, 6-3) and the Gregorski duo at #3 doubles (6-3, 6-5). None of the schools fielded a #4 doubles team on Tuesday. The match was a late pickup after the scheduled Boyne City meet was canceled.

Just four days after the first practice on Monday (8/12), the Elks opened the season competing in the first Don Samardich Memorial Invite in Cadillac on Friday against Zeeland East, Mt. Pleasant and the host Cadillac Vikings. Zeeland won with 22 points, Cadillac was second with 13, Mt. Pleasant third tallying 11, and Elk Rapids finished fourth with two points. The Elks earned wins from Dominic Vasquez and Matthew Brown at #1 doubles over Mt. Pleasant (7-6, 6-3) and Mary Gregorski and Ethan Huhn at #4 doubles over Mt. Pleasant (6-0, 6-0).

Watch for the tennis team preview in an upcoming issue of the Elk Rapids News!

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