Homer Alaska - Sports

Luckily the weather turned around on Feb. 20, giving skiers a chance to turn up the heat for the girls 7.5 k and the boys 10 k classic ski, after a strong overnight freeze.

Coach Jan Spurkland was proud of his team for sticking with it despite dreary conditions.

"Friday was some of the most challenging ski conditions that you'll find anywhere at any time. It was 45, the rain was coming down in sheets and that ended up creating a really sloppy trail, and the ability to ski on the trails became questionable," said Spurkland.

Spurkland said the groomers and trail operators went the extra mile to ensure skiers had skiable trail conditions.

In the end, when the powder has settled, the region tournament is the end of the road for many of Homer's skiers, though a few will go on to the state competition in Fairbanks, staring today.

For Spurkland, the season was a portent of things to come for the Ms, which has revealed strengths that the team will rely on in the coming years.

"We had a really young team this year and we were inspired at the end of the season at the potential we have over the next few years. We're not losing a lot of kids at the end of the year," said Spurkland.

The Ms have a strong crop of sophomores on both the boys and the girls side of the team, including the likes of Kaya Morelli, Maggie Bursch, Marie Schmidt and Andre Lovett, who will be heading up to State in Fairbanks this year, along with Denali Critchett, Frannie Bursch, Tux Seims, Kyle Wentz, Parker Sorenson, Kevin Rowe, Alaine Miller and Dylan Critchett.

"I really think that as far as a season like this goes. It was a definite step up towards really competing well next year and the year after," said Spurkland.

Boys team scores: 1. Palmer 2:55:12; 2. Kenai 2:59:19; 3. Soldotna 3:03:12; 4. Skyview 3:04:54; 5. Colony 3:08:20; 6. Homer 3:16:12; 7. Grace 3:19:11; 8. Seward 3:19:53; 9. Wasilla 3:34:36; 10. Valdez 3:36:42.

Girls team scores: 1. Soldotna 2:26:43; 2. Palmer 2:35:47; 3. Kenai 2:38:47; 4. Homer 2:40:05; 5. Skyview 2:50:09; 6. Valdez 2:56:01; 7. Colony 3:03:58; 8. Grace 3:04:03.

Boys overall: 2-day combined times: 1. Travis Semmens, Ken, 41:24; 2. Anders Nyquist, Ken, 41:52; 3. Duney Strickland, Pal, 42:16; 4. Wylie Mangelsdorf, Pal, 43:35; 5. Andrew Arnold, Gra, 43:43; 6. Hunter Jackinsky, Sky, 44:09; 7. Schyler Knopp, Col, 44:26, 8. Ted Hoople, Pal, 44:30; 9. Ryan Sanders, Sol, 44:50; 10. Davis Dunlap, Pal, 44:51.

Homer boys peninsula finishers: 18. Andre Lovett, Hom, 46:45; 30. Kevin Rowe, Hom, 49:29; 31; 42. Dylan Critchett, Hom, 51:39; 46. Tux Seims, Hom, 52:09; 47. Kyle Wentz, Hom, 53:05; 49. Dan Adickes, Hom, 53:26;

Girls overall: 2-day combined times: 1. Kailey Mucha, Ken, 33:37; 2. Bree Mucha, Sol, 35:38; 3. Sarah Cresap, Gra, 36:05; 4. Maranda Merkes, Sol, 36:15; 5. Kimberly Del Frate, Pal, 36:40; 6. D.Anne Martin, Sol, 37:18; 7. Jasmine Clock, Sol, 37:32; 8. Maggie Bursch, Hom, 38:16; 9. Melanie Smith, Sol, 38:51; 10. Amanda Del Frate, Pal, 38:57.

Other girls peninsula finishers: 11. Frances Bursch, Hom, 39:37; 15. Kaya Morelli, Hom, 40:33; 17; 24. Alaine Miller, Hom, 42:36; 26. Denali Critchett, Hom, 42:50; 33. Maria Schmidt, Hom, 43:30; 45. Emily Schmidt, Hom, 47:32;

Friday's girls 3-K skate: 1. Kailey Mucha, Ken, 10:35; 2. Bree Mucha, Sol, 11:12; 3. Kimberly Del Frate, Pal, 11:26; 4. Saraqh Cresap, Gra, 11:55; 5. Amadna Del Frate, Pal, 12:03; 6. Maranda Merkes, Sol, 12:08.1; 7. Michelle Klaben, Ken, 12:08.4; 8. Jasmine Clock, Sol, 12:20; 9. D.Anne Martin, Sol, 12:24; 10. Maggie Bursch, Hom, 12:30.

Friday's boys 5-K skate: 1. Duney Strickland, Pal, 13:34; 2. Travis Semmens, Ken, 13:36; 3. Wylie Mangelsdorf, Pal, 13:50; 4. Anders Nyquist, Ken, 13:54; 5. Davis Dunlap, Pal, 14:29; 6. Schyler Knopp, Col, 14:32.3; 7. Andrew Arnold, Gra, 14:32.9; 8. Hunter Jackinsky, Sky, 14:35; 9. Ted Hoople, Pal, 14:36; 10. Abe Meyerhofer, Col, 14:37.

Saturday's girls 7.5-K classic: 1. Kailey Mucha, Ken, 23:01; 2. Maranda Merkes, Sol, 24:07; Sarah Cresap, Gra, 24:09; 4. Bree Mucha, Sol, 24:24; 5. D.Anne Martin, Sol, 24:53; 6. Jasmine Clock, Sol, 25:11; 7. Kimberly Del Frate, Pal, 25:13; 8. Maggie Bursch, Hom, 25:45; 9. Melanie Smith, Sol, 25:48; 10. Frances Bursch, Hom, 26:48.

Saturday's boys 10-K classic: 1. Travis Semmens, Ken, 27:47; 2. Anders Nyquist, Ken, 27:57; 3. Duney Strickland, Pal, 28:41; 4. Andrew Arnold, Gra, 29:09; 5. Luke Michael, Sol, 29:22; 6. Hunter Jackinsky, Sky, 29:33; 7. Ryan Sanders, Sol, 29:35; 8. Wylie Mangelsdorf, Pal, 29:45; 9. Ted Hoople, Pal, 29:53; 10. Schyler Knopp, Col, 29:54.