The seven racers in the 5K take off from the start. Front (L-R): Ella Batchelder, Eric Lorentz, Cora Stone, Will Batchelder and Georgia Moore. Back (L-R): Greysen Thompson and Sam Ayers
Seeley Lake Nordic Race Team's Owen Hoag was the sole racer in the 10K race. He finished in 31:36.28.
Tim Swanberg from Ovando tucks coming down a hill with 1K left in the 20K. He placed third in the men's 20K.
Race coordinator Bridget Laird hands Seeley Lake Nordic Team member Land Neudecker his blue ribbon for first place in his age group for the 3K.
Eli Nicholas and Harrison Burton at the start of the 1K.
SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Nordic trails were groomed and ready for the annual Skiesta Jan. 18. With the sun shining and temperatures in the mid-20s, 61 skiers from ages 73 down to age 5 took to the groomed trails participating in the 1K, 3K, 5K, 10K and 20K races.
Ben Scott of Libby, Mont. won the men's 20K in 56:10.07. Lindsey Bengtson of West Glacier, Mont. won the women's 20K with a time of 1:00:33.42.
Ovando's Tim Swanberg and his daughter Madeline swept third place for the men and women's 20K finishing in a time of 58:50.68 and 1:07:07.36. Tim improved by nearly 18 minutes and Madeline cut off 27 minutes from their times last year.
"The 20K attracts some of the area's elite adult skiers and they add an inspiring element to the race," wrote Bridget Laird, Race Coordinator and Seeley Lake Nordic Team coach, in an email.
The Seeley Lake Nordic Club, made up of Seeley Lake Elementary's Junior Prep team and the Seeley-Swan High School Race Team, had 19 skiers in the Skiesta out of 21 currently out for the team. Laird, Darren Zellman, Mike McGrew, Brie Guilmette and Karen Kovatch are the coaches this year. Laird is encouraged with the participation and expects more skiers to join the Junior Prep Team now that Bitty Ball is finished.
Other Nordic Clubs at this year's race were the Glacier Nordic Club from Whitefish, Mont., Libby Nordic Club and Missoula's Zany Club. Sand Point and some of the top racers with the Glacier Nordic Club were unable to attend this year because they were racing in Jackson Hole, Wyo.
Seeley Lake Nordic Club's Owen Hoag was the sole racer in the 10K. He finished 30 seconds faster than his 10K time last year crossing the finish line in 31:36.28.
Seeley Lake swept the 5K top two spots with Ella Batchelder and Cora Stone placing first and second for the girls and Will Batchelder and Eric Lorentz placing first and second for the boys.
The Glacier Nordic Club dominated the 3K taking the gold, silver and bronze for both boys and girls. Noah Longenecker won the boys in 10:37.98 and Charlotte Lehmann won the girls with a time of 10:41.96.
Glacier and Seeley Lake Nordic Clubs split the 1K. Without poles and after only a week of skate skiing, Eli Nicholas of Seeley Lake finished a minute and a half ahead of his nearest competition in 5:51.93. Junia Longenecker of Kalispell was only slightly faster with a time of 5:44.41, more than 30 seconds ahead of second place.
"We were fortunate this year to have almost perfect weather and the snow conditions were great, thanks to our super-committed volunteer groomers from Seeley Lake Nordic Club!" wrote Laird.
Saturday, Jan. 25 is the annual OSCR followed by the Seeley Lake Biathlon Feb. 1. Both events are at the Seeley Lake Nordic Trails. For more information and to register visit seeleylakenordic.org. The Seeley Lake Nordic Team will also be sending team members to Kimberley, BC for the Kootenay Cup Classic and Skate two-day race and to the Libby Biathlon later in February.
Local Skier results (Seeley Lake Nordic Ski Team members*):
20K Men: Tim Swanberg, Ovando: 3rd Place, 1st in age group, 58:50.68
20K Women: Madeline Swanberg, Ovando: 3rd place, 1st in age group, 1:07:07.36
10K Men: Owen Hoag*: 1st place, 31:36.28
5K Men: Will Batchelder*: 1st place, 1st in age group, 16:20.34; Eric Lorentz*: 2nd place, 1st in age group, 17:40.06; Sam Ayers*: 4th place, 2nd in age group, 21:27.69
5K Women: Ella Batchelder*: 1st place, 1st in age group, 19:08.35; Cora Stone*: 2nd place, 1st in age group, 19:59.77
3K Girls: Hattie Batchelder*: 4th place, 4th in age group: 11:43.79; Kilty Hanson*: 5th place, 1st in age group: 13:58.08; Mia Nicholas*: 7th place, 3rd in age group:15:28.15; Ryan Pitman*: 9th place, 1st in age group:17:35.36; Isis Snow*: 10th place, 2nd in age group: 18:05.11
3K Boys: Noah Stone*: 4th place, 4th in age group, 11:12.90; Land Neudecker*: 10th place, 1st in age group, 14:38.80; Kimber Hanson*: 11th place, 2nd in age group, 14:50.70
1K Girls: Kieu Snow*: 5th place, 4th in age group, 8:31.99
1K Boys: Eli Nicholas*: 1st place, 1st in age group: 5:51.93; Trey Good*: 2nd place, 1st in age group: 7:32.47; Harrison Burton, Seeley Lake: 3rd place, 2nd in age group: 8:52.21; Nate Treser, Seeley Lake: 4th place, 2nd in age group: 9:28.68; Ossion Burton, Seeley Lake: 5th place, 3rd in age group: 9:30.64; Parker Pitman*: 6th place, 4th in age group: 9:46.59
Full results are available at http:// competitivetiming.com/results/205586O
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