Nordic skiers complete regular season

Sisters High School's Nordic team played host to the annual Hoodoo Night Race on Thursday evening, February 16, held on a course just outside the main lodge. The race was the final of the regular Oregon High School Nordic Organization season, with the state meet looming this weekend at Mt. Hood Meadows.

Sisters' small squad turned out to be smaller than usual with the absence of Mason Calmettes and Amity Calvin, but Courtney Blust popped her best effort of the season to finish in seventh place overall on the two-loop, four-kilometer freestyle (skate) course.

Blust finished in 13:23, just over a minute behind undefeated Emily Hyde of Summit, who won the race in 12:17.

"The night race under the lights tends to produce fast and furious efforts by all the skiers," said Coach Tom Blust. "There is something extra-exciting about being out there at night."

The course featured tough uphills and tight downhill corners, which challenged the technical abilities of all the skiers, according to Blust.

Elena Saldi placed 26th in 17:01, which impressed her coach.

"Elena is well suited for this type of course because of her quickness and her ability to persevere when the going is tough," said Blust.

A total of 56 girls completed the course.

Devon Calvin placed ninth (11:41) in the boys' race in what Blust termed "a very determined effort."

Nick St. Clair of Summit won the race in 9:43 as Storm skiers claimed the top three spots.

Summit is the heavy favorite to capture state team titles for both boys and girls, but Blust remains very confident in his skiers' ability to be competitive in the two-day state meet.

"These kids have worked very hard over the past four months and have raced very well against outstanding competition, so I expect them to represent Sisters quite well this weekend," he said.