Split venues, split races, masks and other mitigation measures in place: no problem!
Nordic Ski teams representing Kenai, Homer, SoHi and Seward took to the trails for the first cross country ski competitions of the 2020-21 season and the first high school sporting events on the Peninsula since November.
Soldotna vs Homer @ Ohlson Mountain in Homer
The Soldotna Stars Nordic Ski team traveled to Homer to open the competitive season with a dual pairing against the Homer Mariners on the Ohlson Mountain Trails. The teams competed in a 5-kilometer freestyle format.
Girls Race Results
In the girls competition, SoHi’s Katie Delker posted a 18:02 for a first-place in the 5-kilometer freestyle for Soldotna, with Erika Arthur placing second. Homer’s Ireland Styvar finished third followed by Homer’s Zoe Stonorov in fourth and SoHi’s Jordan Strausbaugh, fifth.
Girls Team Results: 1. Soldotna 1:17:12; 2. Homer 1:20:32.
Individual Results: 1. Katie Delker, Sol, 18:02; 2. Erika Arthur, Sol, 18:33; 3. Ireland Styvar, Hom, 18:39; 4. Zoe Stonorov, Hom, 19:37; 5. Jordan Strausbaugh, Sol, 20:09; 6. Jordan Ruffner, Sol, 20:26; 7. Sonora Martin, Sol, 20:50; 8. Eryn Field, Hom, 20:55; 9. Frida Renner, Hom, 21:19; 10. Carson Dement, Sol, 21:52; 11. Kara Super, Hom, 23:28.
Boys Race Results
Quinn Cox topped the field in the boys 5-kilometer freestyle posting a winning time of 15:44 and leading a top-five sweep by the SoHi boys. Foster Boze placed second followed by Andrew Cox, Dylan Hogue and Carter Cannava.
Boys Team Results: 1. Soldotna, 1:05:44. (Homer did not have enough skiers for a team score)
Individual Results: 1. Quinn Cox, Sol, 15:44; 2. Foster Boze, Sol, 16:18; 3. Andrew Cox, Sol, 16:45; 4. Dylan Hogue, Sol, 16:56; 5. Carter Cannava, Sol, 17:28; 6. Seamus McDonough, Hom, 17:58; 7. Levi Mickelson, Sol, 18:31; 8. Johnathon Gordon, Sol, 18:35.
Kenai vs Seward @ Kenai Golf Course
The Kenai Kardinals hosted the Seward Seahawks on the course groomed at the Kenai Municipal Golf Course on Saturday. The Kardinal girls earned the top six positions in the 4.3-kilometer freestyle. Emily Moss lead the Kardinals, completing the course in 13:47. Kenai’s Summer Foster and Cody Bryden finished second and third.
Due to mitigation plans, Kenai skied the course first with skiers entering the course at one-minute intervals. Seward followed and the times were calculated to determine placing.
Girls Individual Results: 4.3K Freestyle
1. Emily Moss, Ken, 13:47; 2. Summer Foster, Ken, 14:12; 3. Leah Fallon, Ken, 14:30; 4. Madison McDonald, Ken, 16:14; 5. Betsy Moffet, Ken, 16:39; 6. Grace Morrow, Ken, 18:42; 7. Alexi Walker, Sew, 18:42; 8. Belladonna Darby, Sew, 18:59.
Boys Individual Results: 4.3K Freestyle
1. Jack Laker, Ken, 11:45; 2. Gregory Fallon, Ken, 12:01; 3. Cody Bryden, Ken, 12:39; 4. George Wright, Ken, 12:55; 5. Alosha Cross, Sew, 13:36; 6. Zane Tewes, Ken, 13:49; 7. Owen Smith, Ken, 13:50; 8. Aloshia Cross, Ken, 13:52; 9. Nathan Haakenson, Ken, 14:06; 10. Matthew Gryzbowski, Ken, 14:15; 11. Trevor Guernsey, Sew, 14:19; 12. Robert Carson, Ken, 15:22; 13. John Vanbuskirk, Sew, 15:45; 14. Paxton Hill, Sew, 16:59; 15. Koen Pace, Ken, 17:08; 16. Jackson Marion, Ken, 17:13.
Phot courtesy of Debbie Delker
