Scott West Nordic Skiers Shine at Hyland Meet
By Ryan Dahnert
With ideal weather conditions, yesterday the Scott West Nordic Ski team embraced a challenging 5K course during their 5K skate meet at Hyland Lake Park Reserve, competing against teams from the South Suburban Conference.
The course features included “Boulder Ridge”, a black diamond loop notorious for its steep climb known as “The Wall” and a tricky descent that tests even the most seasoned skiers. Despite the technical demands, Scott West’s first- and second-year athletes showed impressive determination, tackling one of the most challenging loops they will face all season. “It took a lot of courage for our younger athletes to not only step up to race but push through to finish,” said head coach Lisa Jamison. “We are very pleased with everyone who raced today.”
JV Highlights
The junior varsity boys placed third out of eight teams, with strong performances from Owen Dahnert (10th, 21:56), Jaydon Koonst (15th, 23:27), and Austin Oldenburg (16th, 23:35). The girls’ JV team placed fifth out of seven teams, led by Sophia Schwingler’s fifth-place finish (26:07). Elsa Schwingler placed eighth (26:26), while Ashlynn Mieseler crossed the line in 29th (38:59).
Unexpectedly, wildlife made an appearance during the girls’ JV race when a resident buck dashed across the course, narrowly missing Sophia, Elsa, and several other skiers. Fortunately, no one was hurt, though the incident added an element of surprise to the race.
Varsity Boys Take Third
The varsity boys team secured third place in their division, with Winona and ISD 196 taking first and second, respectively. Caden Riga and Isaac Bemmels provided a thrilling side-by-side performance, placing 10th (14:34.0) and 11th (14:34.6). Both athletes achieved personal records, with Caden shaving over a minute off his previous record (PR) and Isaac improving significantly from last year’s sectional meet.
Jackson Nagel (17th, 15:29), Ben Pint (20th, 15:42), and Wilson Menden (33rd, 17:31) also delivered strong performances, with Pint and Menden achieving significant course PRs.
Varsity Girls Face Strong Competition
The varsity girls team placed seventh out of eight teams in a competitive field. Tirzah Juaire led the team, finishing 25th with a personal record of 18:16, improving by 1:40 from last year’s sectionals. Addy Giles (32nd, 19:21), Izzy Haugen (36th, 19:54), and first-time Hyland racers Anayah Hill (44th, 21:34) and Bekah Stiemke (50th, 23:02) rounded out the varsity squad.
Developmental Racers Gain Experience
The meet also included a 3.2K developmental race for athletes honing their skills. Ben Saunders competed in his first race, finishing in 18 minutes. Ella Ralston (20:09), Kyle Schilling (23:10), and Weston Hardell (28:50) showcased promising efforts in their shorter-distance debut.
Looking Ahead
Scott West Nordic Skiers will take a break for the holiday season before resuming competition in January. With promising performances across all levels, the team is poised for continued growth and success in the weeks ahead.