By: Jonathan Szczepaniak | Rochester Post | Published March 22, 2023
ROCHESTER HILLS — In what almost mirrored the 2022 Michigan High School Athletic Association Division I State Finals, Rochester Adams girls skiing shined at the MHSAA state finals Feb. 27 at Schuss Mountain.
Aside from Traverse City Central and Traverse City West switching places in first and second — Central took first in 2022 — Forest Hills Northern Eastern and Clarkston both finished above Adams this season in third and fourth, respectively.
“They kind of ended up where I hoped they would end up with the talent there,” Adams coach Jaime Jackson said. “The Traverse City schools are always tough, and we knew Grand Rapids Northern was going to be tough. Clarkston was there too, and they beat us pretty much all season.”
Another constant for Adams: junior Katie Fodale shined again on the biggest stage, winning the state title in slalom and earning fifth in giant slalom. Fodale has consistently been reliable at the state finals, earning second her freshman year and third her junior year in giant slalom, and first in slalom her sophomore season.
“I was really happy with how I did my slalom runs,” Fodale said. “I felt like I had really good runs, and I was really proud of how all the girls did.”
Fodale carried the momentum of her first-place finishes in both slalom and giant slalom at the Region 2 meet at Holly Feb. 13 and was consistent all season for the squad.
Another bright spot for Adams was sophomore Abby Weaver, who tallied a pair of ninth-place finishes at the regional meet in slalom and giant slalom.
Weaver was Adams’ second-best skier at the state finals meet and will look to carry her success into her junior season.
“She did a nice job for us all year long,” Jackson said. “She was very consistent.”
Adams will miss senior leaders and twins Vanessa and Veronica Trevino, but will rely on Fodale, junior Addison Grake, and Kyra Heinzmann to take over the senior position.
With all members holding experience in state finals skiing, and a strong junior core of Weaver and sophomore Mira Dalal, Adams will look to have another strong season in 2024.
Fodale will focus on defending her state title in slalom, but said she has her eyes on something that’s more important to her.
“I’m just trying to take on that leadership and leave a positive impact on the team,” Fodale said.