Above: The Alpine Vikings’ Section team. (L-R) Reilly Wahlers, Logan Backstrom, Damian Zimmer, Alyssa Martinson, Will Lamb, Ava McMillan, Erik Lawler, Morgan Weyrens-Welch, Ezra Lunde, Sela Backstrom, Will Surbaugh, Haley Yoki. Far left: Senior Co-Captain Ava McMillan skis the last run of her high school career. Left: Sophomore Will Lamb rips a turn in his second run at Sections, landing a 4th place finish!
Perfect weather greeted the 22 high school Alpine ski teams that participated in the Section 7A ski meet held February 3 at Giants Ridge.
Eighth-grade slalom skier Reilly Wahlers and sophomores Will Lamb and Logan Backstrom qualified to represent Cook County High School at the Minnesota State Alpine ski meet held at press time Wednesday, February 11 at Giants Ridge.
At Sections, each skier receives two runs. Lamb was fourth in his first run and third in his second run, placing fourth overall. This was the second year in a row that Will has qualified for the state ski meet.
Meanwhile Logan placed 16th in his first run and finished 13th in his second run to earn 15th place. That was the last slot open to send a skier to state.
Reilly Wahlers continued her fine season by earning her second trip to the state meet. Reilly was 14th in her first run and 14th in her second run to earn a 12th place finish.
Mahtomedi won the girls’ race with Hermantown finishing in second place. The boys’ champions were Forest Lake with Chisago Lakes finishing second. Each of the top two teams competed in the state meet.
Madison Daneiski of Hermantown was the girls’ section champion while Anders Brown of Chisago Lakes earned the boys’ crown.
“Our section teams skied their best races of the season and the girls finished in 5th place and the boys’ team finished 6th place,” said Alpine Head Coach Charles Lamb.
With temperatures at -5 in the morning and 15F in the afternoon, sunny skies and no wind, Coach Lamb said the skiing conditions were ideal, and there were few DNFs or crashes among the racers.
“We were sure that Will would advance, but it was too close to call with Reilly and Logan,” said Coach Rick Backstrom. “It turned out that they took 15 individual boys and girls this year and it was nice surprise at the awards ceremony that Reilly and Logan qualified. Logan just made the cut (15th) and was the last boy called up.”
One skier that missed an opportunity to compete was sophomore Jack Viren, who earned the third spot on the boys’ team but was injured at practice and was unable to compete. Seventh-grader Will Surbaugh was substituted for Viren and did an excellent job, said Lamb.
“We wouldn’t have three Alpine Vikings going to state if it wasn’t for the success of the Lutsen Junior Alpine Club and all 25 racers participating on the Cook County Alpine Team,” said Lamb.
All in all the Vikings sent 12 racers to the section meet. For some, it was their last competition. Lamb and Backstrom said three senior co-captains Ava McMillan, Mel Stoddard and Lauren Thompson graduate this year. “We will miss them and wish them all the best,” said Lamb.
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