Brainerd Skiers Earn Two Podium Finishes

Piper Grillo and Jacob Halbur lead Brainerd Warriors to strong performances at Hill-Murray Invite

Jan. 27, 2026 at 3:47pm

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The Brainerd Warriors girls' and boys' ski teams both had impressive showings at the Hill-Murray Invite at Wild Mountain on Monday, January 26th. Piper Grillo raced to a fifth-place finish with a time of 1:07.3, leading the girls' team to a second-place result. On the boys' side, Jacob Halbur finished 17th with a time of 1:05.17, helping the Brainerd boys' team to a strong overall performance.

Why it matters

The Hill-Murray Invite is an important early-season event that showcases some of the top high school ski talent in the region. Brainerd's podium finishes demonstrate the strength of their ski programs and provide momentum heading into the rest of the season.

The details

Piper Grillo's fifth-place finish was the highlight of the day for the Brainerd girls, who as a team placed second overall. On the boys' side, Jacob Halbur's 17th-place result was the top individual performance, contributing to the Brainerd boys' solid team finish.

  • The Hill-Murray Invite took place on Monday, January 26, 2026 at Wild Mountain.

The players

Piper Grillo

A member of the Brainerd Warriors girls' ski team who finished in fifth place at the Hill-Murray Invite.

Jacob Halbur

A member of the Brainerd Warriors boys' ski team who finished in 17th place at the Hill-Murray Invite.

Brainerd Warriors

The high school ski teams from Brainerd, Minnesota that competed at the Hill-Murray Invite.

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The takeaway

Brainerd's strong performances at the Hill-Murray Invite demonstrate the depth and talent of their ski programs, positioning them as contenders for success later in the season.