Did you see that? (Winter begins)
November 27, 2012
Fall has ended and winter has begun. And every Monday we'll post here some of the most headline-worthy results and major news coming from all over our state.
Hockey, Upper Peninsula bowling, gymnastics, Upper Peninsula swimming and diving and competitive cheer all are underway, although the majority of competitions in the latter four take place after the start of the new year. Girls basketball, Lower Peninsula swimming and diving and bowling all begin this week.
And next week sees the starts of the rest: boys basketball, boys and girls skiing and wrestling.
We're busy populating MHSAA.com with schedules for all sports and especially basketball, and will display every score that comes in for any sport. Anyone can enter scores by simply registering on the site. Feel free to give us a hand, and keeping tuning in to Second Half for more features, rankings and the like all winter long.
Dehlin Closes Marquette Ski Career Celebrating Team Title with Individual Sweep
By
Nick Cooper
Special for MHSAA.com
March 13, 2025
MARQUETTE – Few high school athletes have gotten as comfortable on the MHSAA Finals medal stand as Sam Dehlin.
The Marquette senior and was crowned Division 1 champion in both the slalom and giant slalom Feb. 24 at Nub’s Nob.
“There really isn't a ceiling to how good you can be at something. It's just the amount of effort you're willing to put in,” Dehlin said.
The driven Dehlin repeated in the slalom, blazing the slopes at a combined 70.16 seconds. Dehlin’s giant slalom first place was his first championship in that event.
His performance also helped Marquette secure its first team championship since 2020.
“I think being part of a team is a really good motivator because you're not just training to make yourself better, but to support your team,” said Dehlin.
With all that Dehlin achieved throughout his career, he cites narrowing his focus as a key factor in his success.
“You can’t view everything in one big lens because then it looks pretty daunting,” Dehlin said. “But if you break it down (into) small parts it’s a lot easier to manage.”
The Marquette slope star also has dominated north of the Mackinac Bridge as he has been the Upper Peninsula skiing champion as well the last three seasons.
Dehlin also credited being in the right headspace as an important contributor to his achievements.
“If you can get a smile on your face and get excited for (skiing), I found that I ski a lot better,” said Dehlin.
He also believes a major reason for his individual success was the totality of his team's efforts.
“The importance of having good teammates that push each other to be better is what led to our team success this year,” Dehlin said. “Having a good group of guys that are all pushing each other to be better helps everybody individually and also as a team.”
As Dehlin’s high school career comes to an end, he plans to join a collegiate ski team or club but will focus on something other than athletics.
“I’m going to focus on academics, and I still want skiing to be part of my life,” Dehlin said, “but I don't necessarily want it to be like all of my life.”
PHOTOS (Top) Marquette’s Sam Dehlin passes a gate during the Division 1 Ski Finals on Feb. 24 at Nub’s Nob. (Middle) Dehlin, right, receives his second medal of the day after sweeping event championships. (Click for more by Tori Burley.)