Outlaws compete at Nordic State Meet

The SHS Nordic ski team competed last week in state races.

The two-day competition took place at Mt. Bachelor on Friday and wrapped up Saturday at Meissner Sno-Park. Due to weather conditions in the weeks prior to the competition, two races were cancelled. This did not affect the Outlaws' mentality, as they came out racing hard.

The Outlaws sent five racers to the state meet who competed in the 7.5k skate race on Friday and a 5k classic race on Saturday.

The Lady Outlaws took to the course first at Friday's mass-start skate race. Shayla Curtis was the first Outlaw to finish the course, with a time of 35:32. Twenty seconds later, Elena Saldi finished the race with a time of 35:52. Betsy Ausman followed close behind Saldi in 36:30.

This was the first 7.5k race in which the Outlaws competed. The longer race venue allowed the Outlaws to feature their endurance and strength throughout the course, according to Coach Kelly Crowther.

The boys race featured Devon Calvin and Brandon Pollard, who both got off to a clean start in the mass start skate race Friday. Luckily, cooler evening temperatures in the previous nights kept the course firm and fast for the boys race. Devon Calvin skied very well on this technical, hilly course. He finished 10th with a time of 25:33. Brandon Pollard also raced well, skiing the downhill sections with ease and grinding out the 2.5k uphill section of the course. He finished in 33:09.

Saturday's classic race was held at Meissner Sno-Park. The character of this racecourse allowed for the Outlaws to feature their striding abilities coupled with their strong double-pole. Switching up the start orders for Saturday's race, the boys headed out onto the course first.

Brandon Pollard was first out onto the course and the number-one Outlaw for the day, finishing the 5k classic course in 26:00. Devon Calvin came in behind Brandon with a time of 26:23, losing time during the race due to bib adjustments mid-race.

The ladies team was led again by Shayla Curtis. Curtis skied well, keeping up a steady pace that propelled her to a time of 31:52. Elena Saldi, skiing strong on the uphill sections of the course, finished her race in 33:01. Betsy Ausman utilized a strong double-pole throughout the race, struggling with getting kick on the uphill portions of the course, and finished in 33:44.

In addition to the race, the Lady Outlaws team also competed in the 1k relay. Betsy Ausman started the relay for the Outlaws for the classic portion, Elena Saldi skated a strong second leg, and Shayla Curtis skated in for the anchor leg. The team finished in sixth place.

The Outlaws enjoyed a great season of skiing around the Sisters area this year. Crowther said that all improved immensely at both ski techniques throughout the year, and most importantly had fun on the snow and spending time in the outdoors throughout the winter.

With the season wrapping up this year, the Outlaws are reflecting on the successes of this past year and building upon that success for the coming years.