Mission Secondary School’s ski and snowboard team had its first race of the season at Blackcomb last Saturday.
And according to coach Peter Anderson, it would appear the team training at Hemlock Mountain Resort between races is starting to pay off.
In the skiing division, Natasha Crick came second, just a half second off first in combined times. Elizabeth Janze, in her second year racing, came 10th. Mariah Hunter was a strong 11th, while her sister, Christy, new to the team this year, placed 18th.
Exchange student, Katja Kreuger earned 15th, and Samantha Horacsek was in the top 20 at 18th.
The boy skiers are in a building program at Hemlock and are learning fast. Leonard Baecker was 30th, Virgil Hirtz placed right behind at 31st. Logan Bryan was 34th, with Connor Brisson, and Alex Janze coming in 40th, and 41st respectively.
“Most of the guys are new this year so it’s good to see them competing so well,” said Anderson.
In the snowboarding division, Tessa McKamey came in first. The boys did a fair job as well. Jason Leiva was tops for MSS in 12th place, Howard Roblee was 28th; Ian Crawford and Cody Sharp, two new boarders, pulled up the back end but as it is their first year they should improve through the season.
The next league race is Jan. 30.