Muskego skiers face rebuilding

Muskego - The Muskego skiing teams enjoyed success last season, but they both have some rebuilding ahead of them this year.

The women's squad finished seventh in the state meet at LaCrosse but graduated three seniors from that team. This year, the Warriors have no seniors and will be led by juniors Jozie Rotter, Samantha Llanas, Julie Petak and Elizabeth Bartoszewski. Sophomore Georgi Llanas rounds out the team.

"Our strength lies in our consistency, with all of our girls skiing times with one second of each other," coach Becky Rotter said. "Our primary goal is to make it to the state meet again this year."

The men claimed 14th at state last year but lost five members of that squad. The Warriors have just three skiers this season: junior Justin Fennig and freshmen David Birkle and Spencer Rotter. Birkle has prior race experience through the Southeastern Wisconsin Alpine team.

"We are disappointed that we only have three skiers, as we need four to be able to qualify as a team for state," coach Rotter said. "The boys can qualify individually by accumulating enough points over the course of the season, which can be done with top-three finishes at the meets."

Muskego opened the season with a meet on Sunday and both teams finished last. For the girls, Samantha Llanas took 11th place, Rotter 12th, Georgi Llanas 16th and Petak 18th. Bartoszewski did not finish due to injury.

For the boys, Fennig was 10th, Birkle 14th and Rotter 15th.

- John Rech