360 High School and Middle School Racers to Compete at Wisconsin High School Nordic Championships
With less than a week to go until the February 10-11 Wisconsin High School Nordic Ski Championships, the conditions couldn’t be better. More than 10 inches of new snow fell during the last week creating a solid base of 6-8 inches at the Schwan Retreat and Conference Center in Trego, Wisconsin.The meet and registrations for this year’s event have reached an all-time high of 360 high school and middle school racers representing 26 different teams from around the state for the 25th Anniversary of the Championship. The athletes will be hosted at the race venue by the Hayward Nordic Booster Club.
The Hayward Hurricane Boys team will look to defend their title from the close competition of Minocqua Lakeland, Waukesha West, and two solid teams from Wausau East/West and Wausau Newmann- Marawood. Last years podium teams of Madison West and Bloomer will also be battling to be back on top even with the loss of some key scorers to graduation.
In the individual competition, the favorite would have to be defending skate champion, Kyle Fredrickson of Hayward. He will be chased closely by team mates Matt Pierce and Jesrin Gaier. Doug Kozeluh of Lakeland, and Ansel Schimpff of Madison West are also top favorites to make the podium.
On the girls side, the Lakeland T-Birds will be skiing hard to defend their title and give their graduating senior, Heather Bassett, a great send off for her last high school races. Both Hayward and Waukesha West will not let that task be easy. With more teams in the mix and many individual scorers, every racer and every second will make a difference for the top three team positions.
Bassett will look to move one step up to the top of the podium as an individual this year, but she will have tough competition from defending champion Melanie Hoffman from Ashwaubenon. As races have played out this year and results have been posted, any one of 5 or 6 girls will vie for the top three spots at these championships. It will all come down to who is healthy, who has rested, and who wants it the most.
The racing will start at 10:00am Friday with the boys’ interval start skate race. The girls’ race will follow at 11:30am and the middle school races will close out the first day of competition at 1:00pm. The second day of competition will be more exciting as 140 competitors in each division will storm onto the race course in the thrilling pursuit format. Races start at 10:00 am the second day of competition.
The Wisconsin High School Nordic Championships are sponsored by regional and local businesses. Businesses and Organizations supporting the Championships are Wachovia Securities, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation, Seeley Hills Ski Club, New Moon Ski Shop, Riverbrook Bike and Ski, Tremblay’s Sweet Shop, Fred Scheer’s Up North Retreats, Vortanz Lumber, and Perkins Family Restaurant.
For directions or information on this week’s events, contact the Schwan Center at 800.577.4848.