Marian Advances to MHSAA D2 States After Capturing the MHSAA D2 Regional Title!

Marian Ski Team Caps Championship Run with Regional Title, Advances to MHSAA State Finals

The Marian High School Ski Team’s 2026 postseason has been defined by preparation, depth, and the ability to peak at exactly the right time. That formula delivered once again at the MHSAA Division 2 Region 6 Championships, where the Mustangs captured the regional championship and officially secured their place at the MHSAA State Finals.

Competing against a strong regional field, Marian finished first overall with 86 points, separating itself through balanced scoring across slalom and giant slalom and continuing a championship run that already included a Division Championship and a perfect 7–0 league title. The regional victory was not the result of one standout race, but rather a full-team performance that reflected weeks of championship-level execution.

A Regional Meet Won with Depth and Discipline

From the opening runs, Marian made it clear that consistency—not risk—would be the key to winning regionals. The Mustangs focused on clean skiing, smart line choices, and minimizing mistakes, allowing multiple racers to place in scoring positions while forcing opposing teams’ athletes further down the standings.

That approach paid immediate dividends in slalom, where Marian posted a team score of 40 points, placing the Mustangs firmly in control early in the competition.

Slalom: Setting the Championship Tone

In the regional slalom, Ava Hierlihy once again led the way for Marian, earning a 3rd-place overall finish with a combined time of 43.33. Her ability to deliver under pressure set the tone for the rest of the lineup and reinforced allowing the Mustangs to ski confidently through the remainder of the event.

Behind her, Marian’s depth proved decisive:

• Ella Fulgenzi finished 10th overall, delivering two composed, consistent runs that kept Marian’s score low.
• Mirabelle Dawson followed closely in 13th, continuing a postseason trend of reliable performances in championship rounds.
• Summer Borromeo added crucial points with a 14th-place finish, rounding out the Mustangs’ scoring group.

By placing four athletes inside the top 15, Marian not only maximized its own scoring potential but also displaced competitors further down the results list—an often-overlooked but critical factor in team championship formats.

Giant Slalom: Locking In the Regional Crown

With momentum on their side, Marian entered giant slalom in position to control the meet, but the Mustangs still needed strong execution to hold off late charges from regional rivals. Once again, composure and depth delivered.

Marian finished second as a team in GS with 46 points, more than enough to clinch the overall regional championship when combined with their slalom total.

Hierlihy anchored the lineup yet again, finishing 2nd overall with a time of 37.33, narrowly missing the top step of the podium. Her back-to-back podium finishes across both disciplines highlighted her versatility and her importance to Marian’s postseason success.

Supporting efforts came from the same reliable core:

• Dawson, Borromeo, and Fulgenzi each finished inside the top 20, delivering steady runs that protected Marian’s lead.
• The Mustangs avoided costly mistakes, keeping all scoring runs clean and controlled while other teams struggled with consistency on a demanding GS set.

When the final results were posted, Marian’s combination of slalom strength and GS stability proved unbeatable.

Championship Momentum Built Before Regionals

Marian’s regional success did not happen in isolation—it was the continuation of a championship trajectory that began earlier in the postseason.

At the Division Championships, the Mustangs firmly established themselves as a title contender. Leading the charge was Ava Hierlihy, who captured the division double, winning slalom (47.09) and giant slalom (38.79). It marked her second double victory of the week and pushed her season win total to six, surpassing her entire career win count entering the year.

Head Coach Mark Weymouth noted that Ava’s rise reflects confidence earned through preparation:

“Once wins start, sometimes they get easier. Your confidence comes—you know you should be that girl or can be that girl. Ava has worked very hard to set herself up in this rarified air.”

Behind her, Marian’s lineup delivered critical depth:

• Mirabelle Dawson placed 5th in slalom and 8th in GS, recording her fourth straight top-10 finish in championship competition and continuing a pattern of peaking at tournament time.
• Ella Fulgenzi moved herself into the top 10 in slalom and demonstrated noticeable technical improvement in GS.
• Summer Borromeo finished 10th in both slalom and GS, highlighted by a clutch second GS run that vaulted her up the standings after a challenging opening run.

Youth, Experience, and a Complete Team Effort

Marian’s postseason success has been powered by contributions from every class. Freshman Emerson stepped into varsity championship racing with confidence, finishing 16th in slalom and 24th in GS at divisions after making a significant jump in her second GS run. Her steady performances provided key depth and flexibility for the Mustangs’ lineup decisions.

Ashlyn continued her late-season progress, skiing herself forward in slalom and narrowly missing a GS top ten after a late-course mistake. Despite the setback, her technical performance represented one of her strongest outings of the season.

Senior leadership also played a vital role. Erin, in her first varsity championship season, delivered consistent slalom runs and showed a calm, steady mental approach. Fellow senior Grace Callaghan, competing in her final AV championship races, battled adversity before rebounding with a strong GS effort—making her senior season her most complete to date.

Pulled up from JV, Emily seized her varsity opportunity with a 25th-place GS finish, further underscoring the depth and developmental strength of Marian’s program.

State Bound with Momentum

When the dust settled at regionals, Marian stood alone at the top of the leaderboard—Division Champions, League Champions, Regional Champions, and now state qualifiers.

What sets the Mustangs apart heading into the MHSAA State Finals is balance. Marian does not rely on a single athlete or one standout run. Instead, the team scores consistently across its lineup, adapts well to pressure, and has demonstrated the ability to peak during championship season.

As the Mustangs turn their attention to the state meet, they do so with confidence built on results, preparation, and belief. Marian is not simply advancing to states—they are arriving proven, prepared, and ready to compete with Michigan’s best.