Year two of P-CEP alpine ski team evolves into one to remember
Members of the PCEP Canton United Alpine Ski Team are pictured following a competition at Mount Brighton.
Just two years in the making, the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park’s Unified alpine ski team is already making an impact on the Michigan high school skiing community.
Earlier this week, the Eric Shingles-coached squad made up of students who attend Canton, Plymouth and Salem high schools, exceeded its sophomore-season expectations at the MHSAA regional competition hosted by Mount Brighton.
Led by individual state qualifiers Sophia Shingles and Rhiana Savoie, the P-CEP girls team earned a spot in the state championship meet by placing third at the regional.
The boys team placed 10th in the 13-team event with 333 points. Jacob Shingles was the team’s lone state individual qualifier.
Team-wide encouragement refreshing
“The way (the team members) support, encourage and push each other has been amazing to witness,” said Eric Shingles, whose work behind the scenes was instrumental in making the development of the team possible.
“From cheering on every racer to celebrating each other’s successes, this group has truly built something special.”
Shingles noted the leadership of captains Sophia Shingles and Zach McMahon, “has made a lasting impact.
“Sophia and Zach have led with positivity, teamwork and dedication.”
P-CEP girls are state meet-bound
The girls squad, which racked up 154.5 points, finished behind only southeast-Michigan high skiing mainstays Birmingham (74 points) and Brighton (85 points) in the regional.
Both Shingles and Rhiana Savoie finished under the state-qualifying time.
Detroit Catholic Central captured the regional title with 92 points. Runner-up Milford (119.5 points) and third-place Northville (133) also qualified for the team state finals from the region.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
