BOYNE FALLS – Marquette freshman Sydney Kuhl made her presence known as she captured a Finals title in the slalom with a two-run combined time of 68.76 seconds Monday to lead the Sentinels to the Division 1 team championship at Boyne Mountain.

“I definitely did not expect to win the state championship. I tried to calm myself. I just wanted to be happy with how I skied,” Kuhl said. “I'm really happy for all of us. We all earned it.”

Marquette won its first girls ski championship since 2020, ripping the title from the grasp of Traverse City Central and Traverse City West, which combined to win every championship from 2021-2025.

Kuhl won the slalom by nearly a second ahead of Traverse City Central senior Quinn Gerber (69.66) and Grand Haven’s Neave Rewa (70.10) in second and third, respectively. Rewa was the 2025 slalom champion.


The Sentinels also saw solid slalom contributions from Sophie Coxon in fifth place, Estelle Dehlin in seventh, Lyla Isaacson in 17^th and Madalyn Croney in 18^th to give Marquette the lead after the morning section. 


Kuhl led the Sentinels in the giant slalom as well with a fourth-place finish, while Dehlin finished fifth and Coxon finished seventh as Marquette held on for the championship after Traverse City Central came roaring back.


Marquette finished with 56 points, and Central had 62.

“I couldn't be more proud of these ladies. They trained hard all season in all conditions. Twenty below zero. They're still out there giving 110 percent,” Marquette coach Daniel Menze said. “Hopefully this is the start of a dynasty on the women's part.” 


Marquette’s lone senior, Jillian Starr, will always remember this journey with her teammates.

“We knew we had a good chance because of the steepness of the hill. That’s what we are used to. We were all at dinner last night talking about how excited we were. I’m so proud of these girls,” Starr said.

Taggart took home first for Traverse City Central in GS with a time of 71.65, narrowly edging her teammate Gerber (72.00). Rewa finished third again in GS.

“I was expecting it to be super close, and we did the best that we could. I think we all performed well.” Taggart said. “I honestly didn't think I would win. I was super nervous, and I didn't do as well as I wanted in the morning (slalom). When I went out for GS. I was going to take a chance for my team.”

Gerber wrapped up her career as a two-time Finals champion and one of the all-time best to race for Traverse City Central.

“We knew it was gonna be cold, which leads to harder snow. ... (Taggart) and I have been battling with each other all year. This was our last race together. We always pushed each other,” Gerber said.

Traverse City West finished third, followed by Brighton in fourth, then Clarkston, Lake Fenton, Northville, Farmington Hills Mercy and Berkley/Athens/Troy rounding out the field, respectively.

Click for full results.

(Click for more photos by Adam Sheehan Photography.)