A large group of racers and coaches from Cook County, Forest Lake and Thunder Bay took advantage of the great conditions at Lutsen Mountains recently with a scrimmage.
Despite warm, soggy weather near the lake, ski practice has been going well for the boys’ and girls’ teams, said Alpine Head Coach Charles Lamb.
“The Cook County Alpine ski season is in full swing,” said Lamb. “We had 25 kids show up for dry land training back in early November.”
Dry land workouts included hiking and running up the old Grand Marais Ski Hill and up Pincushion Mountain, playing soccer and ultimate Frisbee, followed by core exercises at the YMCA.
Lamb said cold temperatures back in November allowed Lutsen Mountain to open more runs by Thanksgiving than anyone can remember in years. “The kids have been practicing on Koo-Koo, Hari-Kari and Moose Drop on the weekends and after school they ski under the lights of Ullr.
“Skiing conditions have been excellent on the slopes at Lutsen,” noted Lamb.
Both teams bring back some very fast, very skilled skiers from last year’s squad.
Above: Senior co-captain Melanie Stoddard and teammates Madysen McKeever, Alyssa Martinson and Morgan Weyrens-Welch enjoyed the scrimmage at Lutsen Mountains. Left: Cook County High School Alpine team senior co-captain Ava McMillan with her skiing sister Santina McMillan.
“The girls’ varsity team consists of eighth-graders Sela Backstrom, who has the potential to be one of our fastest girls and Reilly Wahlers, a state meet veteran and the 10th fastest girl at the 2014 Section 7A meet,” Lamb said.
“Freshman Santina McMillan and Hana Borson are working hard and skiing fast while sophomores Alyssa Martinson and Madysen McKeever have been working hard and showing signs of improvement.
“Juniors this year are Morgan Weyrens-Welch, Silver Bay’s Haley Yoki and Natassja Sheils.
“Senior co-captains are returning veterans Ava McMillan who placed 25th at the 2014 section meet and three-sport athlete and solid skier, team leader Melanie Stoddard. We have one more senior, hard working Lauren Thompson.”
On the boys’ side Lamb said freshman Ezra Lund has “really stepped up his game and is skiing faster than ever.”
Tenth-graders Eric Lawler, Damien Zimmer and Jack Viren are skiing well at practice and already looking faster than at the end of last season, said Lamb.
“Logan Backstrom, who was 20th at the boy’s Section 7A meet is skiing very fast and improving his technique. Will Lamb who was 7th at the section meet and landed 14th place at State last year is also working hard, trying to get faster,” said Coach Lamb.
Lamb also welcomed several hardworking junior varsity skiers to the team, Elsa Lunde, True Nies, Greg Howe and Isak Terrill.
“The boys’ and girls’ varsity teams have a good chance at winning some conference races if they continue to work hard at practice,” Lamb said.
The team will compete January 2 at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, January 6 at Spirit Mountain, and at Mont Du Lac in Duluth before coming home to host races at Lutsen Mountain on January 23. Races start at 10 a.m. at Lutsen.
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