Seventeen Outlaws skiers traveled to Ashland on Friday and Saturday, February 18-19, for a two-day ski race between the Southern League and the Emerald League. This was the last race of the season for many of the Outlaws’ racers, and the skiers who will participate at State were able to race against some new competitors.

While the weather was clear, calm, and warm, the snow was thin, and race officials had to avoid rocks while setting the course, which posed some challenges throughout the two days of racing.

Thirty-six women competed in the giant slalom race on Friday. Mira Saturn from Ashland won with a combined time of 1:03.72. Outlaws freshman Tallis Grummer placed seventh with a combined time of 1:08.94, followed by freshman Ella Eby, who finished 10th with a combined time of 1:09.63. Presley Adelt finished 11th with a time of 1:10.90.

Freshman Ava Riehle finished in 19th place, Piper Adelt 20th, freshman Kiara Martin 22nd, freshman Mae Roth 25th, and freshman Lauren Sitz 30th. Sophomore Araiya Grummer competed well with a third-place finish in her second run, but crashed out on her first run.

In the women’s slalom race on Saturday the placers came down to the last racers standing, as many of the racers crashed and either had to hike or did not finish a run. Mariana Austbo from Ashland won the race with a combined time of 1:16.90.

Tallis Grummer’s consistency kept her on the course, racing well, and again she led the Outlaws with a fourth-place finish with a combined time of 1:23.55. Ella Eby was seventh with a time of 1:24.73, and Piper Adelt finished eighth with a time of 1:28.21.

Araiya Grummer took 10th after hiking in her second run. Mae Roth finished 15th, and Kiara Marin was 16th. Presley Adelt finished third in her second run, but crashed on her first run. Ava Riehle finished 19th on her second run, but also crashed on her first.

There were 48 skiers on the men’s side, and the Outlaws did an excellent job in both the giant slalom and the slalom races. One of the challenges most of the boys faced was that they had to battle the deep ruts that formed around the gates.

In the giant slalom, the Outlaws grabbed the top three spots. Junior Bela Chladek was aggressive and consistent and won with a combined time of 1:00.16, followed by freshman Styopa Myagkov, who took second with a time of 1:02.59. Corbin Fredland (junior) took third with a time of 1:03.14.

Junior Gus Patton placed 20th, John Berg was 27th, and Spencer Tisdel finished in 33rd place. Jack Turpen and Cooper Merrill also competed well, but crashed out on one of their runs.

In the slalom race on Saturday, Chladek again took first place, with a combined time of 1:05.75. Max Gallo of Grants Pass broke the Outlaws’ sweep to take second with a time of 1:09.67. Outlaw Corbin Fredland took third with a time of 1:10.28, and Styopa Myagkov finished fourth with a time of 1:12.87.

Gus Patton placed 13th, Spencer Tisdel 14th, Jack Turpen 28th, Cooper Merrill 31st, and John Berg 33rd.

Several skiers will attend the State Championships held at Mt. Hood on Thursday and Friday, March 3 and 4.