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Garry, BHS have rough time at state Ruttger breaks arm in mishap Sports Writer The state Alpine ski meet at Giants Ridge in Biwabik Thursday didn't go as planned for Brainerd's Mike Garry and his coach Jim Ruttger.
Garry had set a goal to beat former Warrior Mark Femling's 18th place finish. Garry had a rough first run and couldn't make up the lost time as he finished 27th with a time of 1:20.55.
For Ruttger, he just wanted to see his senior's two runs. But the coach's day was cut short as a skier lost control on the course and careened into Ruttger. The coach suffered a broken arm, a couple of chipped teeth and his knee was put in a brace. He was taken away by ambulance and missed Garry's second run.
"I was happy I made it to state, that was more of a goal than anything this season," Garry said. "I would've felt like the season wouldn't be complete if I hadn't made it. I was a little disappointed with 27th because I know I can ski faster."
Garry, who had set up a practice course before his first run to prepare, was confident at the start of his run until a slight mistake shook up his time.
"My first run through the course was going pretty good at the top," said Garry, "but I slid out at one of the gates and traversed the hill a little bit. I ended up with a slower time than I would've liked and I couldn't make it up."
Garry said he was used to skiing in the first through 10th positions during the season, For his second run he went 36th.
"The snow was icy and hard," Garry said. "There were ruts in the course from everyone else that skied before me and I couldn't get solid edge down. The course was a little beat up and I just couldn't get enough speed going to make up the time."
Most of the skiers at state ski for the United States Ski Association year round. Garry said many have personal trainers and a set of skis for practice and another for racing.
Garry wasn't intimidated despite having the odds stacked against him. Instead, he tried to go out and beat as many USSA racers that he could.
"I don't have any of that extra stuff and I've been able to ski all season long against those guys," said Garry. "Beating skiers like that is one of the things that drives me."
Garry recalls a number of times not wanting to be at practice but now with his career at a close, practicing for upcoming races is something he'll miss.
"I know that I'll miss the rush of racing and going through the course," said Garry.
Boys state team scores -- 1-Eden Prairie 170, 2-Blake 162, 3-Bloomington Jefferson 145, 4-Duluth East 133, 5-Chisago Lakes 112, 6-Woodbury 104, 7-Lakeville 91, 8-Mounds View 57
Top 5 -- 1-Nick Klingen (Eden Prairie) 1:11.13, 2-Brad Erickson (Hill-Murray) 1:11.40, 3-Andy Fischer (Champlin Park) 1:12.34, 4-Chauncey Charlson (Woodbury) 1:12.49, 5-Michael Ankeny (Blake) 1:13.41
Brainerd results -- 27-Mike Garry 1:20.55.
TROY GUNDERSON can be reached at troy.gunderson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5865.
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