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Kalina Dimitrova and Viking Coach John Oberholtzer are both happy to be at the Minnesota State High School League State Alpine championships. Kalina, a ninth grader, placed 58th at state. She was the lone skier from Cook County to make the alpine championships this year. Because of the youth on the team, there is a good chance she will have company next year either with the team or other individuals in a talented field of Section 7 skiers. Photo submitted by Jeanne Anderson
Kalina Dimitrova was the lone CCHS slalom skier to make the Minnesota State High School League this year, but it was quite an experience for this talented ninth grader.
To qualify, Kalina placed seventh at Sections in the individual competition, just .02 tenths of a second ahead of the young lady who placed eight, who did not qualify for state. Such is the life of a skier where hundredths of a second can separate contestants who are fighting for top places in an alpine ski meet.
The state meet was held at Giant’s Ridge in Biwabik. Kalina placed 58th out of 88 female racers.
“I think it went pretty well considering the conditions. At first, I was kind of nervous, but as the day went on, it faded. I was really excited to be there and had a great time seeing friends on other teams!”
Skiers are rewarded for completing two successful runs down the two different slalom courses. Kalina’s first run was solid, but she noted, “I had a great second run. I felt very accomplished. It was a great way to end my ninth-grade season.”
While some kids concentrate on just playing one sport, Kalina competes in volleyball and softball as well. However, she added, “I would say that skiing is my main focus, and I train the whole winter, on and off the course.”
One factor for Kalina is that she is training and racing with a young team. “I definitely think that our team’s connection does push all of us to be better skiers. I have been training along with the same group since I was five, and it has really grown into a great bond; it feels like family.
“My goal for skiing will always be to keep progressing and striving for my love of this sport. A long-term goal would be to ski competitively on a team in college. Since my racing is over now and I am done training, I will continue to ski for fun.”
Ski wrap up
Head Coach John Oberholtzer said his team was just glad to be competing this season. With no seniors on either the boys’ or girls’ squads, he has a lot of talent coming back next year.
At sections, he said the boys’ team “had a lot of crashes. The kids went for it and three of them crashed. Still, I’m proud of them. I’m proud of all of the kids who skied this year.”
The top boy at sections was Ray Dressley, who placed 8th. Ben Obinger finished 11th, Cy Oberholtzer placed 19th, Georgi Dimitrov was 34th, Finn Taylor 46th and Elijah Blanck was 51st.
Overall, the boys took fifth place at sections.
For the girls, Kalina led the way with her seventh-place finish. Genevieve Silence placed 16th, Ali Duclos 18th, Sophia Blanck 25th and Liv Hedstrom was 35th. Annabelle Silence crashed hard, said John, but she got up and the next day was back at practice.
“With only one skier going to state, I didn’t expect to see so many kids show up for practice. But they were there to support Kalina. I was surprised and proud of them. We are very young and many of our skiers play multiple sports, but if we can get them to do some off-season training for skiing, we have great potential. I have to say; this is a great group of kids to work with. This season has been a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to next year.”
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