The Westonka Nordic ski team hit the trail for their first meet of the year at Hyland Lake Park Reserve on December 17. Athletes from 11 area schools took advantage of the moderate weather for an exciting 5K skate race.

Coach Jaime Lundgren shared, “Our skiers showed up to race, and that's just what they did! Taking advantage of the well-groomed trails."

The Westonka girls made a strong statement with a second-place finish overall, behind perennial powerhouse Highland Park. The White Hawks celebrated Top-10 finishes by senior captain Ava Daum in eighth place in 17:46 and sophomore Elise Hays in ninth place in 18:42. In next, and adding key depth, were freshman Eva Savstrum in 14th place in 19:46 and sophomore Stella Johnson in 24th place in 21:19. Completing the girls varsity team were freshman Madison Nelson and senior Sophia Kravchenko.

The Westonka boys took fifth place, taking a significant step as a team as several skiers made their varsity debut. The White Hawks were led by senior captain Leif Hagen in eighth place in 15:19, earning him a Top-10 finish. Coming in next was sophomore Robbie
Chilson in 21st place in 16:56. The middle of the White Hawk pack finished within 11 seconds of each other, with junior Sawyer Bruch in 18:51, sophomore Jacob Chilson in 18:54, and eighth grader Carter Savstrom in 19:02. Also competing on the boys varsity team were eighth grader Rylan Gusenius, senior Leon Kravchenko, and sophomore Charlie Smith.

The White Hawks showed great promise for the future with several athletes competing in the junior varsity races. The girls JV skiers included eighth grader Abigail Kreger, and freshmen Nina Mattson and Lillian Turner. The boys JV skiers included freshmen Ben Smith, sophomore Oliver Berg, freshman Elian Daum, eighth grader Achilles Kelber, freshman Kellen Mueller, and junior Kaden Dickerson.

Looking to the season ahead, Coach Lundgren shared, "This is going to be a fun and exciting season with the dynamic of our team, we have talented veteran skiers along with many first-time Nordic skiers that have really picked up the sport quickly."

The team will compete next in a Classic Race at Battle Creek Recreation Center December 23 . In early January, they will embark on their annual Nordic training trip to top trails in Hayward, Wisconsin and Ironwood, Michigan.