Outlaw skiers expand league lead

The Sisters High School varsity boys ski team served up an exciting come-from-behind victory in fourth race of the Central Oregon High School Ski League on Saturday, February 1.

The victory in the race, held in conjunction with Mt. Bachelor's Winterfest celebration, allowed the Outlaws to increase the points lead over Bend High School for the league title.

Karana Ellis of Sisters won the boys event with a time of 1:55.470 over Bend High's Michael Timm (1:56.140) and Lex Wienike of Summit High (1:57.320).

Sisters' Raman Ellis was fourth, Justin Thomas ninth, Chris Boyle 11th, Ben Boro 21st, Jhett Shafer 28th, Nicolas Yopp 29th (after falling in both runs), Ian Davies 31st and Ryen Schneringer 38th after a first run fall.

The boys' combined time of 6:04.870 bested rival Bend High by nearly 4.5 seconds (6:09.000). The Bend High boys finished third behind Summit High (6:07.500).

The Sisters Outlaws increased their league lead by four points.

"The day started a bit shaky," said Coach Williver. "Nicolas fell in the first run, and other boys didn't ski to their potential. We were one-and-a-half seconds down; that's a lot of time to make up."

But the bad luck didn't continue. Bend High had a fall in the second run, allowing the Sisters boys a nearly six second margin over Bend and 1.3 over Summit.

"Our second run was spectacular. Karana Ellis continued the pace he set on the first run and the other boys followed.

"This is a great victory to have," Williver said.

With only two slalom races left in the regular season, the Outlaws appear to be poised to go to the State Championships for the third time in the past five years.

This year's State Championship is scheduled to take place at Willamette Pass Ski Area March 5-7, but is subject to a venue change if snow conditions don't allow for the race to be held at Willamette Pass.