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Denali scores two.
Cook County hosted seven schools and 185 skiers at the Pincushion trails on Tuesday, January 18th. Fresh snow and warm temperatures had coaches a bit concerned about what the trails would be like, but thanks to our intrepid groomers that worked from 3:30 a.m. – 8 a.m. the trails were in great shape. And yes, that is 3:30 in the wee hours of the morning!
The Pincushion Varsity/ Junior Varsity race has got to be one of the most challenging courses that the kids face all season: the grueling Three Sisters climb, the fast descent of Ole Hyvaa to the final long grind up the Pin and into the Chute – 6 kilometers that is not for the faint of heart. Each one of our skiers should feel so proud for their tenacious attack of this skiing challenge.
The girls’ team was led by varsity skiers, Olya Wright with a 3rd place finish (19:18), and Valerie Hurth, our only senior girl, 29th (24:42). Junior Varsity skiers had a strong showing with Quincy Hurth, 7th (23:14), Emma Crook, 9th (23:27), Martine Redshaw, 11th (24:34), Naomi Tracy-Hegg, 19th (29:03). Jr High girls skied 3.1 kilometers. MJ Wharton, 13th (13:50), as an experienced skier is providing strong leadership for our younger skiers on the team: Leah Belmore, 17th (15:50), Hiver Moody, 19th (16:36), Elizabeth Larson, 23rd (19:31).
Naomi Tracy-Hegg Photos by Greg Wright
Our Junior Varsity boys skied the 6K with confidence with Everett Hurth finishing 6th (20:41) and Ethan Fish, 7th (21:16)! Keean Selin, 25th (25:55), is a first-year skier that has an amazing work ethic and is working hard on improving his technique. It has been exciting to watch our junior high skiers gain competency and confidence. Eero Moody led our Jr High team with a 15th finish (13:25), Aidan Selin, 25th (15:25), Ennis DeCoux, 28th (17:15), Alex Teeter, 29th (17:54).
The Olympics added a mixed-gender team relay sprint to the line-up this past year. And so, in the Olympic spirit, Cook County followed suit. This is the first time a mixed gender relay has been offered in a Section 7 meet, and it was well received by participants and spectators. Super fun to watch the competition zoom into the stadium, pass the baton (tap on the shoulder), and see the next wave of skiers take off. It takes a community to pull off such a major event. Mike Crook was the Race Director and worked for months planning the racecourses, creating a new team sprint event, and organizing all the details from recruiting volunteers to washing race bibs! Over 20 volunteers assisted before and on race day; And our local nonprofit, North Superior Ski & Run Club, as always, provided amazing trails and support.
Keean Selin
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