Local Skiers Grow at Nordic Ski Regionals
The Valdez and Glennallen combined 12k relay race team of Grace Rogers, Ginger Keller, Morgan Hamilton, and Elaina Hanson. Photo by Kari Rogers
Bruce Rogers - Glennallen Nordic Ski Team
The Glennallen Nordic ski team made a strong showing at the 2023 Region VI Championships held at Birch Hill Recreation Area in Fairbanks. Glennallen competed against the much larger Monroe, Hutchinson, North Pole, and Valdez schools, as well as superpower West Valley and Lathrop teams. On Friday, Glennallen athletes Andrew Severs and Grace Rogers skied the individual freestyle (skate-ski) race. For both skiers, this race was a mass start and a new experience for Andrew. It’s a challenging environment to maintain focus and pace.
Andrew handled it well for his 10-kilometer race and finished a solid 20th of 40 skiers. More impressively, Andrew was able to maintain a 4:35 minute/kilometer pace for this long and hilly course, which is on par with his per-kilometer times for shorter-distance races this season.
Andrew Severs in the 10-km freestyle race at Birch Hill Recreation Area in Fairbanks.
– Photos by Kari Rogers –
Grace Rogers in the 7.5-km freestyle race at 2023 Region VI Ski Meet in Fairbanks.
Grace finished 19th of 30 skiers in the 7.5-kilometer race. Her minute per kilometer time improved by almost 30 seconds per kilometer over the last 8k race in Valdez, which makes her coach very happy.
On Saturday, Grace joined forces with the Valdez girls’ team to compete in a 12k relay race. Many thanks to our good friends and coaches on the Valdez team for this awesome opportunity! The combined team placed 5th out of eight starting teams. The combined Valdez and Glennallen boys teams’ support for the girls’ team was truly impressive and a clear demonstration of why we participate in this sport.
Both Andrew and Grace qualify for the upcoming 2023 State Nordic Ski Championships on February 23rd, 24th, and 25th at Kincaid Park in Anchorage.
