Powder Ridge ski team places second

By David Bacharach, Assistant CoachAlthough fielding the smallest team, Powder Ridge bested Trollhaugen, Afton Alps, Mt. Kato and Welch Village, but could not top the depth of first- place Wild Mt. on Saturday, Feb. 9, at Afton Alps. In a field of nearly 500 racers, 13 Powder Ridge skiers reached the podium. Coach Lori Rice said, “The kids skied really well today. I knew we would challenge for first. Each year we get stronger, and it’s fun to watch everyone improve throughout the season.” In first place earning gold medals were Aaron Longtin (7), Maggie Kippley (8), Cody Ling (9), Eric Elmquist (11) and Josiah Powell (12).

Silver medals went to David Elmquist (8), Seth Elmquist (10), Megan Bacharach (13) and Molly Kippley (16+).

Bronze medals were garnered by Chris Longtin (12), Amy Elmquist (15) and Luke Becker (16+).

From each age group (7- 16+), other fine performances were turned in by:

o (7) Rachel Arnold, eighth; Garrett and Anderson Barclay, twelfth and fourteenth;

o (8) Jennifer Lukach, fifteenth, Jacob Powell, fourth; Warren Olinger, eleventh;

o (9) Richie Steiger, twenty-second; John Kandels, twenty-fourth; Cameron Clarke, twenty-eighth;

o (10) Keith Berg, twenty-seventh; Aaron Anderson, thirty;

o (11) Laura Schleichert, eighth; Alex Fuller, fourth; Jake Byram, seventh; Ben Ferkinhoff, tenth; Riley Rice, eleventh; Runyan Gaetz, nineteenth; Zach Nystedt, thirty-seventh; Andrew Nystedt, thirty-ninth; Travic Lukach, fortieth;

o (12) Tammy Kippley, fourth; Kelsey Schle-ichert, eighth; Laura Arnold, tenth; Joe Muggli, tenth; Jamie Scholer, sixteenth;

o (13) Brett Herges, fourth; Matt Wiest, twelfth; Dan Groebner, eighteenth; Joey Steiger, nineteenth;

o (14) Laura Schultz, tenth; Christa Halonen, fourteenth; Adam Herges, twelfth; Darin Goebel, sixteenth; Colin Marrer, seventeenth; Josh Kunkel, eighteenth; Jacob Annis, nineteenth; Tyler Friesen, twentieth; Matt Spanier, twenty-first;

o (15) Katie Muggli, sixth; Nick Byram, fourth; Paul Kluesner, ninth;

o (16+) Nicole McStott, twelfth; Ryan Rice, tenth; Jason Larson, seventeenth; and Mike Riley twenty-first.