The 2024 High School XC Ski State Champs happened over this last weekend. We had our opportunity to ski through snow, wind, and sun over three days.
The athletes from around Alaska are some of the most talented skiers in the country. Not only is the State competition a way for our whole community of skiers to come to together, but it is also one of the most enthusiasm-filled race experiences you can get.
Friday’s classic mass start showed an amazing amount of support and excitement for every athlete on course. The crowd was so big and loud it was almost deafening as I raced up one of the bigger hills on course. It was great to see, hear, and somewhat understand what it must be like racing on the world cup!
The combined times of our Service state girls earned us second place with a total course time of 3:18:30. West High came in first with a time of 3:15:48. I feel so lucky to have been part of some great races with many talented athletes! Congrats to our boys team for taking second in the overall this year with a combined time of 2:45:58.
Thank you to the Service Team of volunteer coaches, boosters, parents, team captains, and to head coach, Jan Buron, for working hard around the clock all season to help us succeed in whatever our goals may have been this year. With the amount of support and dedication this team has given to us, and with the crowds as a bonus, I felt like a real pro this weekend!
Congrats to my teammate, Olivia Soderstrom, for taking the skimeister award for the second year in a row! She is a hard worker and wonderful person who sets the bar to a new level for the rest of us.
I feel fortunate to be included in the relay again this year! These girls are great teammates and friends and it was fun to be able to work together to take second overall. This amazing weekend ranks as one of the highlights of the season for me. Congrats to the West boys and girls for taking first in both the relay and overall scores!
As always, the green grunts (ski volunteers) are the ones who make it possible. They are outside setting up and grooming the course long before I wake up, and they are out there taking down and prepping for the next day after I have left. I can’t wait for next year already! Next up, biathlon states!
