Outlaws skiers hold their own

At the mid point of the 2009 Alpine Ski Race season, Sisters High School Outlaw racers are holding their own against the larger Central Oregon Schools.

With strong performances from the likes of Lucas Rietman, Jordan Rudinsky and Jenna Sneva, the Sisters squads (both boys and girls) sit solidly in third place in the league standings.

Aided by returning racers Andrew and Steven Enger, Haley Hancock, Davis Rapp,and Jake Thomas, the varsity teams have finished in third place in all three of the league races, with the boys team finishing second in the second race of the season, and are now tied for second in slalom with the boys of the Summit Storm.

The team also sports several new additions this season. Eric Adler, Brooks Morgan, Levi Rodriguez, Lauren Rudinsky, Eric Sellgren and Claire Siebold are all first-time competitors in the Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing Association.

The team also has two foreign exchange students, Elio Keller from Switzerland and Raphealla Zieller from Germany.

"It's really a dynamic team," said head coach Todd Williver. "We have really strong leadership on both the boys and girls varsity teams. The supporting racers are learning their role and we're definitely in the hunt for a podium stop in the league standing."

With several finishes in the top five, Jordan Rudinsky, Lucas Rietman and Jenna Sneva all have a better-than-average chance of securing a berth at the Oregon State High School Ski Racing Championship held at Mt. Bachelor the first week of March. The boys varsity team also still has an outside opportunity to take the entire team to the championship.

"I'm sure we will be represented at the championship," said Coach Williver. "We have racers that are definitely state championship material."

Traditionally the Central Ski League, which is comprised of all the Bend, Redmond,and Sisters area high schools, has been one of the strongest leagues within the state. Quite often a school from the Central League secures the championship.

"The fact that we compete to the level of this league year in and year out is really a testament to the talent and dedication of our Sisters area racers. The fact that our smaller school competes at all is amazing. And, to see that we always field racers that are state contenders is really something," said Coach Williver.

The Central League race schedule is half over. With three more races, two giant slalom and one slalom race, where the Sisters teams will finish has yet to be determined.