Nordic skiers showing improvement

The New Year found the Nordic ski team busy competing with races on consecutive weekends at Diamond Lake.

Saturday, January 4 at the Diamond Lake Jamboree the Outlaws squared off against most of the teams from the Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing Association Nordic's southern league. The event featured a variety of races divided by age groups, skill levels, and ski styles.

Photo by Charlie Kanzig

Spencer Tisdel digs in in Outlaws Nordic ski action.

Ben Hayner took top honors in the freshman/sophomore skate race in a time of 18:39, a minute and a half ahead of his nearest rival. Spencer Tisdel took second (19:09) by a 10th of a second, and Jack Turpen fourth (23:42) in the junior/senior skate race.

Seniors Ava Riehle and Kiara Martin took the top two spots in the junior/senior girls classic race, but times were not confirmed after the race due to some technical issues.

A week later, Tisdel led the way in a 5k classic, finishing sixth overall in 15:21. Emerson Backus finished 21st in 17:45, followed by Turpen in 29th (19:11), and Finnigan Clark in 37th (22:02).

Eli Shockey of Mountain View High School topped the field of 43 racers in a time of 13:22.

The boys relay team of Tisdel, Backus, and Turpen took fifth place.

Martin (20:53) was the lone female competing for the Outlaws. She finished 15 among a field of 26. Olivia Tranby of Mountain View won the race in 17:15.

Though the team was missing some athletes due to illness and injury, Coach Tiffany Tisdel had much to say about the ones who did compete.

"Kiara skied well in her first skate race of the season and Emerson did fabulous in his first-ever ski race," she said. "He showed good 'on-snow' talent and looks to become a key member of the boys relay."

The Outlaws will help host the Hoodoo Night Sprints on Monday, January 20, beginning at 5:45 p.m.

"This is a great spectating event right behind the lodge at Hoodoo," said Tisdel. "Everyone is welcome to come and watch. There is no charge."