The Cook County girls’ slalom team is making a habit of taking first place at ski meets. Last week was no exception.
Reilly Wahlers and Sela Backstrom once again led the Vikings girls’ slalom ski team to another first-place finish. This win came at the Hibbing Invite against eight Arrowhead conference teams.
The meet was held Jan. 4 at Giants Ridge on a sunny cold day with temperatures a frigid -30 F at 8:30 a.m. when the team arrived.
The Race Jury, said head coach Charles Lamb, enforced the Minnesota High School ski league rules, so no one was allowed to race in their Speed suits. A complete shell, top, and bottom were required to be worn by all racers.
Lamb said, “The first run was very cold, but it was sunny with no wind whatsoever and the temperature reached -4 F at the beginning of the second run, which is nice weather for racing.”
“Reilly Wahlers, a junior, threw down two great runs and won first place overall,” Lamb said.
“Sela Backstrom, also a junior, skied two fast runs and finished in third place.
“Halle Lamb, a sophomore, skied great with a twelfth-place finish and Elsa Lunde, a junior, also skied great finishing thirteenth overall.”
Lamb also complimented seventh grader Kylie Viren, who completed both of her runs during the competition.
With no room for error, sophomore Will Surbaugh had a miscue in his first attempt, straddled and hiked and finished at the back of the pack. The previous race two weeks before saw Will on top of the podium against the same competitors.
Said coach Lamb, “Sophomore Masen McKeever skied two fast runs to land in thirteenth place while freshman Kevin Viren continues to improve and placed fifteenth in a competitive boys’ field.
“Elijah Blank also skied tough and completed both of his runs. Ben Obinger, a seventh-grader, skied great and won third place in the junior varsity race,” Lamb said.
The boys’ team finished the day in sixth place.
The overall boys’ winner was Thomas Heron from Cloquet- Esko-Carlton alpine ski team, and the Brainerd boys’ team won first place.
“We had good training in very cold weather on New Year’s Day, and now we are back to our normal training schedule,” said Lamb. “I’m proud of all the kids for their dedication and attendance, and it is paying off.
“Our girls stepped up again, narrowly defeating fast skiers from both the Marshall and Hibbing teams.”
The next race will already be held at Lutsen after press time; it’s Thursday, January 11 at 10 a.m.
Leave a Reply