Kelsey's Memorial Race kicked off ski season

The Kelsey's Memorial Race at Mt. Hood Meadows on Sunday, January 5, kicked off the ski race season for the Outlaws.

Photo provided

The Outlaws girls team placed second out of 22 teams to kick off the Alpine ski season. Pictured left to right: Grace Hudson, Mary Rogers, Brooke Duey, Ella Eby, Tallis Grummer, Ava Riehle, Lauren Sitz, Payten Adelt, and Sydney Welbourn.

This year marked the seventh annual Kelsey's Memorial Race, which is the largest alpine ski race in the nation. It hosts upwards of 500 racers who participate in this unique state-wide opener with all seven of the Oregon Leagues coming together for a non-scored race. Racers donned costumes and won fun prizes, including new skis, and shared homemade cookies on the slopes.

The Lady Outlaws finished in second place out of 22 teams. Combined times from Tallis Grummer, Ella Eby, Mary Roberts, and Ava Riehle placed the girls on the podium just behind Grant High School who finished first. Caldera High School finished third.

Sisters boys finished sixth out of 24 teams with combined times from Spencer Tisdel, Cooper Merril, Emerson Backus, and Ben Hayner.

Coach Natalie Grummer said, "The Outlaws showed they can bring both skill and entertainment to the slopes, claiming second place in the costume contest with their creative 'Jerry of the Day' performance. The team choreographed a perfectly timed domino-style wipeout, demonstrating that even elite racers can poke fun at skiing's universal moments of misadventure, also highlighting the strong team camaraderie that makes Sisters Ski racing special."