The Homer High School boys and girls cross-country ski teams finished second at a meet hosted by Kenai last Friday, Jan. 30, at Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna.

Both teams were beat out by the Kards in the 7.5-kilometer classic race. Also present at the meet were Soldotna, Palmer, Seward and Grace Christian schools.

“We did really well — we would have won, but our top boy broke his ski at the back of the course and he had to come in later on a small pair of skis he borrowed from somebody” head coach Jessie Goodrich said Tuesday. “The rest of the team did great, but that kind of time different is impossible to make up. It’s just unfortunate, but other than that we had a great day.”

Friday’s meet was marked both by absences across all teams due to the Besh Cup races held in Fairbanks last weekend. Goodrich said that Homer’s top skier on the girls team was attending the Besh Cup, as were at least one skier from Kenai and two from Soldotna High School.

“It’s really hard to talk about results at this meet because so many kids were gone,” she said.

Soggy weather conditions presented additional challenges to the athletes.

“It was a really dark, rainy day — kind of unusual. Everyone was really busy trying to figure out kick wax,” Goodrich said. “Conditions were changing a lot, but we got it.”

Homer will travel to the the Mat-Su Borough this week to compete in the Region III Championships at Government Peak on Friday.

“We’re really looking forward to that, I think we’re ready,” Goodrich said. “Looking forward to warm temperatures and hopefully some sunshine.”