Outlaws Alpine ski team boasts big squad this winter

The Outlaws Alpine Ski Team is growing, boasting 32 racers and three provisional seventh and eighth grade racers who are set to hit the slopes this season. The 35 racers are ready to showcase their skills in both slalom and giant slalom events. The events will challenge the athletes to navigate courses marked by gates, combining technical precision with speed as they race down the mountain.

Sisters racers enter the season with depth and experience and will be led by 11 seniors. Ten of these seniors, Emerson Backus, John Berg, Ella Eby, Tallis Grummer, Kiara Martin, Cooper Merrill, Ava Riehle, Lauren Sitz, Spencer Tisdel, and Jack Turpen have all dedicated four years to the program. The Outlaws’ other senior, Lily Holtsberg, joins them this year.

“These seniors form the backbone of the team and they bring not only refined racing skills but also a deep understanding of the sport’s mental challenges and team dynamics,” said Coach Natalie Grummer. “Their experience spans countless training sessions, league races, and state championships. As they enter their final season they are poised to set a high standard of excellence and mentorship that will influence the program for years to come.”

Also back for another year are: juniors Payten Adelt, Joseph Derksen, Brooke Duey, Styopa Myagkov, and sophomores Spencer Davis, Abi Duda, Pia Grummer, and Ben Hayner.

Grummer told The Nugget that these juniors and sophomores are a solid group that bring the team’s core strength and have already proven themselves on the race course. They all have developed strong technical skills and many have qualified for state championships in previous seasons.

New to the team include freshmen Carter Anderson, Casey Bennett, Michael Clayton, River Dalton, Simon Farmer, Grace Hudson, Jasper Jensen, Khloe Kohl, Mac Maloney, Felix Montanez, Mary Roberts, Nona Smith, and Georgia West. All are new to racing, but Grummer noted that their natural athleticism and enthusiasm for skiing have already shown promise during the early training sessions. The addition of these skiers will strengthen the team’s depth and ensure a bright future for the Sisters racing program.

The three middle schoolers who are joining the team as provisional racers are eighth graders Laef Doyle and Cormac Lichvarcik, and seventh grader Sydney Welbourn. These young racers will get to compete against other middle schoolers in the league, and will carry forward the strong traditions of Sisters High School ski racing in the years to come.

“High school ski racing offers something truly special,” Grummer said. “Our program is designed to develop not just racers, but well-rounded skiers who love the sport. We encourage our athletes to explore all aspects of skiing - whether that’s ripping through gates, charging through powder, or tackling challenging terrain. This comprehensive approach means our athletes aren’t just getting better at racing, they’re becoming exceptional all-mountain skiers who will enjoy this sport for life.”

This season the team will compete in six Emerald Ski League races, where individuals will be able to score points for themselves and their team, with the goal to improve each week, and ultimately qualify for the Oregon State Championships.

Last season both Spencer Tisdel and Tallis Grummer qualified from the Emerald League for the prestigious Western States High School States Championships held at Mammoth Mountain, California, where they proudly represented Team Oregon.

With the larger and growing team, the Outlaws Alpine Ski Team is now the biggest winter sport. They are also in a building year with the coaching staff. Coach Gabe Chladek will be taking a supporting role after serving as head coach for eight seasons, while Coach Natalie Grummer will be taking the lead as the season progresses. The collaborative team of coaches include Ann Brewer, Rima Givot, Darcy Davis, and Matthew Grummer, who each bring their unique coaching skills and background to the team’s leadership, both on the mountain and at the weekly dry land conditioning practices.

Grummer said, “It takes a good deal of knowledge and skill to coach, train, and put on races for not only the Sisters teams, but in collaboration across the 15 schools and the nearly 100 high school racers in our league. Our program’s strength lies in its community and support from our mountain resorts. With each race requiring over 30 adult volunteers, our families’ dedication goes above and beyond other school sports, from driving racers to the mountain, being on the hill putting on our races, hosting team dinners, and fostering team spirit, their effort is invaluable to our success.

“The team’s partnership with Hoodoo Ski Area continues to be crucial to the team’s success,”Grummer added. “As the Outlaw’s home mountain, Hoodoo provides dedicated training and racing space, which is a vital resource for the program’s growth and development. While many mountains have restricted ski racing, Hoodoo has ensured the Sisters team has the ability to thrive and grow. Unlike other school sports which can take place on school grounds, we are dependent on the great relationship with Hoodoo to support us with dedicated hill space to train and race. We are very proud to be their home team. This season’s early mountain opening has already allowed the team extended pre-season training time.”

The Outlaws season was scheduled to kick off January 5 at the Kelsey’s Memorial Race at Mt. Hood Meadows. This year marks the seventh annual Kelsey’s Race and they are expecting upwards of 500 racers to participate in the state-wide opener where all the Oregon Leagues come together for a non-scored race. They don costumes and win fun prizes, including new skis, and they share homemade cookies on the slopes.

Beginning January 15, the Outlaws will compete in their first of six Emerald League races across Hoodoo and Willamette Pass, and will conclude their season at the OISRA State Championship Race at Mt. Ashland Ski Resort in early March.