The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Sisters Outlaws Alpine Ski Team finished first in a giant slalom race on Saturday, January 28 at Willamette Pass. Conditions were mostly sunny and calm and the snow was fast. Both the boys and the girls team finished first to maintain their winning streak this season.

On the boys side, Colby Maupassant of Marist High was the first-place winner with a combined first- and second-run time of 1:34.76. Outlaws’ Bela Chladek was the second-place finisher with a combined run time of 1:35.44. Corbin Fredland finished third (1:35.49), Styopa Myagkov was fifth (1:36.03), Brody Duey seventh (1:42.97), Cooper Merrill 11th (1:46.07), and Spencer Tisdale 12th (1:47.45).

Coach Gabe Chladek noted Duey and Merrill for their performance.

“Brody (Duey) and Cooper (Merrill) are both racers who have recently moved up from the JV and are skiing exceptionally smooth lines through the course,” said Chladek. “Both these boys have made big breakthroughs recently!”

The JV boys’ finish order was: Gus Patton, John Berg, Jack Turpen, Hudson Hayes, Joseph Dirksen, Kellen Petke, and Emerson Backus.

Morgan Shaw of Ridgeview High was the first-place winner on the girls side, with a combined time of 1:36.75. German exchange student Rebecca Clausen logged the fastest time for the Outlaws with a combined time of 1:44.02 for a fourth place overall finish. Ella Eby was the second-fastest Outlaw and finished fifth with a time of 1:44.05.

Of Clausen’s race Chladek said, “Rebecca’s fourth-place finish is really amazing. She’s a first-year ski racer with only a little bit of previous skiing experience in Germany. She’s got a lot of natural athletic talent, and is applying it really well to ski racing.”

Rounding out scores for the Lady Outlaws were Charlotte Seymour sixth (1:44.87); Ava Riehle, eighth (1:46. 99); Tatum Cramer, 10th (1:48.55); and Presley Adelt, 11th (1:48.96).

JACK TURPEN

Presley Adelt heads downslope.

Chladek shared details of Tallis Grummer’s race.

“Tallis’ first run was only one-tenth of a second behind the first-place finisher, and she was pushing hard for a win on her second run in an attempt take the first-place spot for the day when she had a small crash late in course, and cost her the finish she was looking for,” said Chladek. “I think Tallis has a real shot at grabbing a first-place finish this season.”

Chladek noted that with so many of the JV and lower seed varsity racers on the varsity team advancing so quickly, it will be exciting to see where the team ends up at the state championships.

Next up for the Outlaw skiers is a slalom race, which will be held at Hoodoo on Wednesday, February 1.