Skiing: Strong returning core to lead Tiger squad

The ski program at Douglas High School annually depends on fortuitous weather conditions to help get its season off to a good start.

Unfortunately, the weather most years doesn't provide much, if any, snow to work with.

Indeed, there are seasons where the Tigers don't actually get to put their skis to snow until the first race of the season.

No such trouble this year. Early season storms have allowed Douglas to hit the slopes at Heavenly six times heading into Thursday's season-opening race.

In high school ski terms, that's like having an extra month of practice added to the season.

"We got so much good snow early in the season, we were able to get up there pretty soon," first-year coach Dave Blum said. "We've actually gotten to do some real race training. And, we got an additional 16 inches of snow earlier this week. It's been beautiful."

The Tigers also have a healthy list of returning varsity letterwinners, giving the team a promising outlook for the upcoming season.

Leading the way is two-time state qualifer Grant Denny, who is entering his fourth season at the varsity level.

Grant's brother, Wyatt Denny, is coming off a strong freshman season during which he won the season-ending league duals for non-state qualifiers.

On the girls' side, junior Cara Dunkelman is the top returner.

"We've got some kids that can really ski," Blum said. "Wyatt and Grant will be very strong on the boys' side and Cara can really fly for the girls."

Douglas also returns seniors Brock Crawford, Nolan Lackey, Robbie Furin, Rachel Babbitt and Gavin Fitzhugh and junior Tanner DeGiovanni with multiple seasons at the varsity level already under their belt.

"We've got a couple ninth-graders too that will make a difference at the varsity level," Blum said. "It's their first year, but they've been skiing all their life. They'll do quite well."

Among the top newcomers are Grant Dunkelman and Tristan Cohee, whose older brother, Nick, skis for the University of Utah.

"It's a long season too," Blum said. "With eight varsity spots for the boys and the girls, it's likely we'll see a lot of different combinations.

"We've got a lot of kids out and they are working hard. We're excited."

Blum, a substitute teacher in the Douglas County School District, took over at the helm of the ski program after receiving a blast e-mail about the high school looking for a coach.

"I was at work one day and that came across," he said. "I've never coached a day in my life, but it sounded like a whole lot of fun.

"I've been skiing for almost my whole life and we've been up here in Carson Valley for seven years and I've bought my Heavenly pass every year.

"I know the mountain like the back of my hand and I know a lot of the people that work up there. I figured why not give it a shot. It seemed like a good fit."

Blum said he's leaned heavily on the Whittell High School coaching staff, who he has worked with in his years as a substitute, early on as he gets his feet under him.

"They really helped me out," Blum said. "They've been coaching a successful program for a good deal of time. They showed me the ropes, gave me some ideas and took me to the first coaches' meeting.

"They helped me get my binder set with all my plans. It was a huge boost for me."

While Douglas has a number of top-flight skiers at the top of its roster, Blum said the rest of the roster is all within mere seconds of each other coming down the hill.

"There's a lot of parity and they can push each other all season," he said. "They're all great kids and they're all here because they want to be. That helps a lot.

"The whole team should be very competitive."