Submitted by VHS Nordic Ski Coach
This weekend the VHS Nordic Ski Team traveled with 10 skiers to compete at ‘Colony Chaos’ in Palmer. The competition marked the Buccaneer’s largest race of the season as teams flock from all over the state to take part in Classic and Skate races over the course of two days.
The team arrived at Government Peak Recreational Area just after noon on Friday and got right to work as races were set to start at 2pm. For the boys team, 8 skiers participated in the 5k classic race.
Senior, Rafe Caruthers showed his excellent technique and hill work finishing with a time of 19:05 and placing 20th out of 92. Juniors Ezekiel James, and Alex Aldridge made great leaps and bounds on their previous years race placing 71st and 77th. Sophomores Gabe Caruthers, James Humphrey, Gray Odencrans, Eric Vincent, and Oliver Ownbey finished the course with resilience to the cold temperatures and conditions.
Though Morgan Hamilton was the only Buccaneer representing for the team in the girls race, she met the challenge with great determination and effort. GPRA is peppered with an abundant amount of long and steep hills. Not only do skiers need extreme concentration descending them, but the climb requires a huge amount of grit and endurance as well. Morgan displayed this in her race, finishing in 54th with a time of 34:04.
The second day brought a bounty of positive outcomes for the Bucs. Even though it was the skiers first skate race of the season, with very little practice, and very cold temperatures, the Bucs faced it all with confidence and conviction to complete the race ahead of them.
We are looking forward to the next few weeks of practice as we finally have the snow we have so desperately needed. This will allow the Buccaneer skiers to hone skills they have acquired and better prepare them for the months to come. We are excited to see the lengths our skiers will take it to. Go Bucs!
