Hunter Goodman, 16-year old sophomore at Novi High School competing in his first varsity ski race for the school is photographed Monday, Feb. 6, 2017. He has been skiing since he was 9.
It’s a big day for Novi High School sophomore Hunter Goodman.
Hunter, 16, has significant learning and health challenges but will ski in his first varsity race for the Wildcats at 4 p.m. at the Alpine Valley Ski Area in White Lake, when Novi faces Hartland and Walled Lake Central.
“I’m looking forward to having fun,” Hunter said on the bus ride to the race. “The thing i like most about skiing is the friends I make.”
He made a lot of friends with his performance Monday.
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“He was better than good, he was great,” said athletic director Brian Gordon. “He did the GS, which is giant slalom. He made every gate and did a hockey stop at the end. It brought tears to his dad’s eyes; tears of joy. There were 12 other teams there and they surrounded him and cheered. It was a great moment for him and his family. It was great for our school and the family. His brother (Mitch) is one of the top skiers in the state.”
Hunter Goodman, a 16-year old sophomore at Novi High School competing in his first varsity ski race for the school, skis at Don Thomas JV Invite at Mt Holly Feb 3, 2017. He has been skiing since he was 9.
Hunter’s disability is a genetic syndrome, but it hasn’t stopped from skiing since age 9.
“He has an unidentified genetic syndrome,’’ said Natasha Goodman, his mother. “With all the advancements in medicine and technology, there still isn’t an answer for what his syndrome is … He was born full term, very small. He was 3 pounds 13 ounces when he was born. It was tough. He almost didn’t make it.
“He continues to be small for is chronological age. He has some pretty substantial learning challenges … but those don’t seem to get in his way.
“This is a big day for Hunter and our family.’’
Hunter has been in the ski program for two years, but on Monday he got to compete for the first time on the varsity with his brother, Mitch, 18, in the giant slalom. The family is originally from Colorado, where skiing became a family hobby. Spencer, 12, also skies and younger sister Lauren, 4, will eventually.
“I think I’m the best skier in the family,” said Hunter. “I think my brother Mitch would agree.”
“We are excited for the opportunity that Hunter has earned,’’ said Gordon. “Our ski program has done an outstanding job of including him as a member of our team in everything that they do. He is an extremely hard working student-athlete that faces a different set of challenges. … Everything he does, he does with a smile and we could not be happier for not only him, but all of the members of our team and their families. It is truly a great day to be a Wildcat’’
Natasha Goodman said without the help of Coach Ben Fisher, Coach Don Crocket, special education director Shailee Patel, special ed teacher John Dudek and Gordon, her son’s dream wouldn’t have come true.
“I have had the pleasure of knowing Hunter since seventh grade,” said Wildcats coach Wendy Whiteside. “He was a student of mine and joined the middle school ski club. It has been a pleasure to watch him grow as a skier. He is dedicated and hardworking, and he also adds some sense of humor to the team when we need to relax. I’m very much looking forward to watching him compete.”
Contact Perry Farrell: pafarrell@freepress.com