High school Nordic race season is underway

The Outlaws Nordic Ski team made its debut of the 2011-12 Oregon High School Nordic (OHSNO) competitive season at Mount Bachelor on Saturday, December 17, in an 11-team meet hosted by Bend High School.

The meet served as a season preview for the Outlaws and the other OHSNO teams, which included Summit, Bend, Hood River, Corvallis, Redmond, South Salem, Cleveland, Grant, Crescent Valley, and St. Mary's of Portland.

The OHSNO season includes five meets in addition to the state championships. The regular season meets alternate between classic-style and skate-style skiing, so athletes must learn both disciplines, according to Coach Tom Blust, who is in his fifth season.

Mason Calmettes and Devon Calvin finished in the top 15 in the 3,500-meter classic race to help Sisters finish fifth among the 10 complete boys teams.

Calmettes finished 12th overall in 14:34, while Calvin place 14th in 15:15. Seth Roy placed 63rd (26:13) to complete the scoring for Sisters.

Summit won the team race with just eight points thanks to Nick St. Clair's dominating win in 11:20 and the strength of his teammates, who took four of the next five top places. Bend finished second (18), followed by Hood River (55), Corvallis (55) and Sisters (56).

"We know that competing with Summit and Bend is tough because of their depth, but I was pleased that we held our own in a very close race among the next four teams," said Blust.

The Outlaws girls were led by Courtney Blust, who finished 22nd in 20:21. Elena Saldi (24:40) placed 53rd among 85 finishers.

Emily Hyde of Summit won the race in 14:20 to lead the Storm to the team victory with 13 points. Redmond finished second (22) and Bend third (28) among the 11

teams.

Sisters will co-host the next meet, scheduled for January 14 at Hoodoo.