For Burnsville, no club skiers is no problem

The Burnsville boys' Alpine ski team didn't expect to make it to state last year. The Class 2A Section 6 meet was supposed to conclude the season. But after the first run, the boys started to believe there was a chance.

"During lunch break after the morning runs, all of the coaches crowded around the scoreboard," said Blaze coach Derek Nash. "There were about five teams all right there."

After the Blaze posted another round of solid, consistent runs, the entire field gathered around to hear the results. The teams are announced in reverse order, creating a highly suspenseful scene.

"We heard the third-place team wasn't us, and we just went crazy," Mike Furney said.

Sure enough, the Blaze locked down the second spot. With the top two teams from each section earning a state bid, Burnsville was headed to Giants Ridge.

"Our team went wild. It's a big deal for a team like ours to go to state," Jordan Huus said.

So big that "We all picked our coach up," Jimmy Coyne added.

Nash has coached club skiers before and insists they have solid programs and produce terrific athletes.

"Obviously it works. They create great ski racers," Nash said. "But I've been telling these boys from the get-go, there are other ways to do it."

Coyne, a senior captain, spent some time as a youngster with the Buck Hill D-Team, but has since been exclusive to the Burnsville program. He's recruited some buddies to come out, including fellow senior Nick Doble, who joined the team two years ago. Doble skied twice in his life before trying out for the Blaze.

"None of us had expert experience," Coyne said. "We just wanted to try ski racing and we really enjoy it."

Senior captain Michael Furney had been skiing recreationally for three years before joining the high school team as a freshman.

Huus, another senior speedster, jumped onto the program as a seventh-grader. Team members train around the clock, Nash said.

It must be working. The state meet was a first for all six Blaze skiers last winter. They surprised yet again, tallying 108 points, good enough for a fifth-place finish. Burnsville finished ahead of section meet champion Edina.

On top of that, Nash earned Alpine Coach of the Year honors from the Minnesota State Alpine Coaches Association.

"It's one of the most proud years I had coached because they're my boys," Nash said. "Some of them I've coached for almost 10 years and I couldn't have been more proud of them."

As for this year, the top-four scorers are returning to the team. There's plenty of talent on the team, but the target is on Burnsville's back now.