SLE Outside Hosts First Invitational Race

SEELEY LAKE - SLE Outside hosted its first invitational ski race, Jan. 16 at the Seeley Lake Nordic Trails. Participating teams were Zany from Missoula, Mont., Glacier Nordic Ski Team (GNST) from Whitefish, Mont. and the Seeley Lake Nordic Team (SLNT).

The teams participated in three races in which the youth could be in: a 3 kilometer (K), 5K or a 10K. Awards were given out for first, second and third boys and girls for the different distances.

Most of the races for western Montana youth ski teams, including Whitefish, Butte, Missoula and Seeley Lake, are held in February. After meeting with the other coaches involved, race organizer and Seeley Lake Nordic Team coach Bridget Laird said this was a great opportunity to host an early season ski race. An advantage to holding the race here was that it gave more kids from Seeley Lake the opportunity to participate.

"We practice three times per week but the school doesn't travel [to races]," said Laird. "That leaves it up to the parents if they want their kids to participate. This offers another race for the whole team."

The next two races for the SLNT are the Over Seeley's Creeks and Ridges (OSCR), Jan. 31 and the Skiesta, Feb. 13. Both will be held at the Seeley Lake Nordic Ski Trails.

10K Results:

Boys: 1. William Batchelder, 31:19, SLNT; 2. Aiden Duffield, 31:31, Zany; 3. Oscar Duffield, 31:33, Zany.

Girls: 1. Madeline Swanberg, 31:28, Zany; 2. Zia Kloetzel, 31:45, Zany.

5K Results:

Boys: 1. Klayton Kovatch, 17:50, SLNT; 2. Wyatt Stout, 19:37, SLNT; 3. Owen Hoag, 20:31, SLNT.

Girls: 1. Sadie Smith, 21:35, SLNT; Emmaline Derry, 23:29, Zany; 3. Ella Batchelder and Cora Stone, Tie 26:45, SLNT.

3K Results:

Boys: 1. Cullen Bertsch, 11:13, SLNT; 2. Aaron Trueblood, 11:25, GNST; 3. Noah Stone, 14:20, SLNT.

Girls: 1. Terra Bertsch, 11:45, SLNT; 2. Klaire Kovatch, 11:53, SLNT; Macy Williams, 13:28, Zany.