The Westonka Nordic ski team hit the trails at Theodore Wirth Regional Park for two high school meets.  

The White Hawks faced 15 teams from around the Twin Cities for a 5K Skate race on Jan. 6, placing sixth overall for the girls and eighth for the boys. The race provided an opportunity for the athletes to face some of the top skiers in the area, including St. Paul Highland Park, which took first place for the boys, and Minneapolis Southwest, taking first place for the girls.  

Senior Ava Daum led the Westonka girls with a 28th-place finish in 18:13. Also scoring for the varsity team were freshman Eva Savstrom in 46th place, sophomore Elise Hays in 47th place, freshman Louisa Johnson in 51st place, and eighth grader Abby Kreger in 64th place. 

On the boys side, senior Leif Hagen set the pace with a 30th-place finish in 15:49. Scoring as well for the varsity boys were sophomore Robbie Chilson in 40th place, eighth grader Rylan Gusenius in 61st place, junior Sawyer Burch in 68th place, and sophomore Jacob Chilson in 69th place.  

The White Hawks returned to the Wirth trails on Jan. 10 for the prestigious Loppet High School Invite. Athletes from 18 teams throughout Minnesota gathered for this unique meet, racing in a variety of competitions: 5K Classic race, 5K Skate race, and a Classic Sprint Relay. 

The White Hawks saw standout races from Leif Hagen in the 5K Skate race with a ninth-place finish in 13:20, and Ava Daum in the 5K Classic race with a 12th-place finish in 17:28. Both Hagen and Daum continue to excel in their senior seasons, skiing at a high level and providing leadership as captains. Other top finishers included sophomores Robbie Chilson in 23rd place in the boys 5K Classic and Elise Hays in 30th place in the girls 5K Classic. 

The White Hawks compete next at Battle Creek Regional Park on Jan. 14 and at the ABC Relays High School Nordic Ski Meet in Mora, Minnesota on Jan. 17.