MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Meijer State Games Slopestyle took off at Marquette Mountain Saturday morning, giving athletes quite a challenge with the lack of snow.
“It was a little solid so you had to kind of adapt and just kinda stay safe with it being so icy out there taking a bad fall you might be out for the rest of the day,” commented silver medalist Sawyer Mital.
“The snow last night was super super warm and super slushy and then it froze all overnight and just made it super icy today,” commented gold medalist Jack Anderton.
Snowboarders and skiers were split into age categories from as young as 9 to as old as 27. Each athlete was judged on their set of tricks on the run and the final jump. Meijer State Games Event Coordinator Courtney Miner prides the competition on its mission of including all skill levels and said watching the event bring all types of athletes to the mountain is what makes these competitions stand out.
“Coming out here and watching the event they’re extremely talented, but you don’t have to have experience it’s all ages and all levels of ability,” said Miner.
After the competition, skiers and snowboarders gathered in the lodge collecting their state game medals and some free merchandise. They said even with the warmer winter season, still hosting an event for those learning and competing is the heart of the state games.
“There’s not a lot of places that are doing it, especially with how bad the seasons have been in the small community it’s great to see that they’re still setting up events and letting us compete and have fun it’s a lot it’s a really good experience especially a lot of the little guys are good out here,” continued Mital.
The Meijer State Games of Michigan does continue downstate through next week. Click here for more information on the upcoming competitions.
