Colony senior sweeps girls’ events at Valley ski invite

PALMER — Last season, Colony’s Alyson Kopsack posted a pair of top-10 finishes during the Region III Championships at the Government Peak Recreation Area. Last weekend, back on the Gov. Peak trails in an official high school race for the first time since the 2017 region championships, Kopsack enjoyed a career meet.

Kopsack, now a senior, swept the girls’ varsity races during the Government Peak Recreation Area Invitational Jan. 12-13.

“She had a great weekend,” Colony head coach Mark Strabel said earlier this week. “She’s just been really coming on, and she turned it on this weekend.”

Kopsack posted a time of 16 minutes, 35 seconds to win the girls’ 5-kilometer freestyle on Friday. She followed with a mark of 18:49 and another victory in the 5K classic Saturday.

Kopsack was the top overall skier with a two-day combined total time of 35:25.

“She’s trained hard. Her technique is finally coming together. She’s putting it all together now,” Strabel said.

Strabel said it’s been great to watch Kopsack progress, and see her make her way to the front of the pack during the meet.

“It’s the goal for all coaches, see their athletes develop and grow throughout their high school career, and see them improve,” Strabel said. “It makes it worth while for coaches.”

The field didn’t include some key skiers, such as Kopsack’s teammate sophomore Annika Hanestad, the defending region champion in both events. Hanestad competed in the U.S. National Cross-Country Championships in Anchorage last week, and qualified for the U18 Nordic Nations Championships, and will ski with the US national team in Vuokatti, Finland, Jan. 21-31.

But that’s not to take away from Kopsack’s accomplishment. The field included some of the top skiers in the region, such as Seward’s Ruby Lindquist and Kenai Central’s Riana Boonstra, who finished second and third overall during the meet. Strabel noted Lindquist specifically, as tough competition.

“The course suits her,” Strabel said of Lindquist.

Regardless of the field, Strabel said Kopsack did what she needed to do to have success.

“She put together two good races. It was a testament to her hard work,” Strabel said.

Kopsack also helped Colony win the girls’ team title. She was one of two Knights to finish in the top 8, and three in the top 13. Sofija Spaic was eighth and Nicole Bell finished 13rd.

With the success of those skiers combined with Hanestad, the defending region champion, Strabel said he’s excited about his girls’ team.

Overall, Strabel said the Knights were excited to return to the trails for an official high school rae.

“Our last race was almost a month ago,” Strabel said.

Strabel also reported great conditions at the recreation area.

“It was spectacular both days,” Strabel said. “Great snow. Absolutely perfect.”

Aila Berrigan led the Palmer girls with a seventh-place overall finish. Sophie Wright was 12th for the Moose.

In the boys’ class, Palmer’s Kaj Taylor led the Valley with a 13th-place overall finish. Nathan Kristich was 14th for Colony.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Government Peak Recreation Area Invite

Friday, Saturday

GIRLS

Team champion: Colony.

Friday five-kilometer girls freestyle

1. Alyson Kopsack, Col, 16:35; 2. Ruby Lindquist, Sew, 16:55; 3. Riana Boonstra, Ken, 17:01; 4. Kellie Arthur, Sol, 18:03; 5. Charlee Demientieff, Gra, 18:04; 6. Katia Holmes, Hom, 18:05; 7. Autumn Daigle, Hom, 18:09; 8. Aila Berrigan, Pal, 18:14; 9. Amy Baxter, Pal, 18:26; 10. Sofija Spaic, Col, 18:38; 11. Sadie Lindquist, Sew, 18:44; 12. Sonora Martin, Sol, 18:48; 13. Nicole Bell, Col, 18:51; 14. Mazzy Jackson, Gra, 19:04; 15. Sophie Wright, Pal, 19:13; 16. Katie Delker, Sol, 19:16; 17. Katie Davis, Hom, 19:37; 18. Abigail Beveridge, Gra, 19:39; 19. Mariz Salzetti, Ken, 19:45; 20. Cameron Blackwell, Sol, 19:45; 21. Isabella Dammeyer, Sol, 20:03; 22. Hannah Delker, Sol, 20:03; 23. Anna McLaughlin, Gra, 20:03; 24. Kylee Deering, Col, 20:43; 25. Grace Annett, Gra, 20:51.

26. Zoe Copp, Pal, 20:54; 27. Laura Ellis, Gra, 21:10; 28. Jasmine Mueller, Col, 21:14; 29. Dareena Doyle, Ken, 21:19; 30. Ava Straub, Col, 21:30; 31. Brittyn Werner, Pal, 21:32; 32. Ocean Tennant, Pal, 21:39; 33. Emmalee Moore, Sew, 21:50; 34. Paige Ripley, Col, 22:03; 35. Brita Restad, Hom, 22:35; 36. Elise Kemppainen, Ken, 22:44; 37. Mickinzie Ticknor, Ken, 22:58; 38. Kealey Hendricks, Sol, 23:05; 39. Charlie Morton, Ken, 23:31; 40. Elianna Kniegge, Gra, 24:38; 41. Ellie Syth, Hom, 27:25.

Saturday five-kilometer girls classic

1. Alyson Kopsack, Col, 18:49; 2. Ruby Lindquist, Sew, 18:57; 3. Riana Boonstra, Ken, 19:13; 4. Charlee Demientieff, Gra, 19:14; 5. Katia Holmes, Hom, 19:44; 6. Sofija Spaic, Col, 19:48; 7. Kellie Arthur, Sol, 20:01; 8. Aila Berrigan, Pal, 20:06; 9. Autumn Daigle, Hom, 20:24; 10. Cameron Blackwell, Sol, 21:08; 11. Laura Ellis, Gra, 21:46; 12. Hannah Delker, Sol, 21:48; 13. Zoe Stonorov, Hom, 21:49; 14. Sonora Martin, Sol, 22:01; 15. Abigail Beveridge, Gra, 22:02; 16. Katie Davis, Hom, 22:06; 17. Sophie Wright, Pal, 22:08; 18. Mazzy Jackson, Gra, 22:22; 19. Katie Delker, Sol, 22:26; 20. Grace Annett, Gra, 22:29; 21. Brita Restad, Hom, 22:31; 22. Nicole Bell, Col, 22:33; 23. Anna McLaughlin, Gra, 22:48; 24. Isabella Dammeyer, Sol, 22:52; 25. Maria Salzetti, Ken, 22:55.

26. Jasmine Mueller, Col, 23:08; 27. Zoe Copp, Pal, 23:32; 28. Kylee Deering, Col, 23:49; 29. Brittyn Werner, Pal, 23:59; 30. Emmalee Moore, Sew, 24:08; 31. Ocean Tennant, Pal, 24:31; 32. Sadie Lindquist, Sew, 24:34; 33. Dareena Doyle, Ken, 24:45; 34. Paige Ripley, Col, 24:48; 35. Mickinzie Ticknor, Ken, 24:51; 36. Ava Straub, Col, 25:14; 37. Kealey Hendricks, Sol, 25:24; 38. Elise Kemppainen, Ken, 25:43; 39. Charlie Morton, Ken, 26:31; 40. Ellie Syth, Hom, 32:22.

Two-day cumulative times

1. Alyson Kopsack, Col, 35:25; 2. Ruby Lindquist, Sew, 35:53; 3. Riana Boonstra, Ken, 36:15; 4. Charlee Demientieff, Gra, 37:19; 5. Katia Holmes, Hom, 37:49; 6. Kellie Arthur, Sol, 38:05; 7. Aila Berrigan, Pal, 38:21; 8. Sofija Spaic, Col, 38:26; 9. Autumn Daigle, Hom, 38:33; 10. Sonora Martin, Sol, 40:49; 11. Cameron Blackwell, Sol, 40:53; 12. Sophie Wright, Pal, 41:22; 13. Nicole Bell, Col, 41:24; 14. Mazzy Jackson, Gra, 41:27; 15. Abigail Beveridge, Gra, 41:41; 16. Katie Delker, Sol, 41:42; 17. Katie Davis, Hom, 41:43; 18. Hannah Delker, Sol, 41:51; 19. Maria Salzetti, Ken, 42:40; 20. Anna McLaughlin, Gra, 42:52; 21. Isabella Dammeyer, Sol, 42:55; 22. Laura Ellis, Gra, 42:56; 23. Sadie Lindquist, Sew, 43:19; 24. Grace Annett, Gra, 43:21; 25. Jasmine Mueller, Col, 44:22.

26. Zoe Copp, Pal, 44:26; 27. Kylee Deering, Col, 44:32; 28. Brita Restad, Hom, 45:06; 29. Brittyn Werner, Pal, 45:31; 30. Emmalee Moore, Sew, 45:58; 31. Dareena Doyle, Ken, 46:05; 32. Ocean Tennant, Pal, 46:11; 33. Ava Straub, Col, 46:44; 34. Paige Ripley, Col, 46:52; 35. Mickinzie Ticknor, Ken, 47:50; 36. Elise Kemppainen, Ken, 48:27; 37. Kealey Hendricks, Sol, 48:29; 38. Charlie Morton, Ken, 50:02; 39. Ellie Syth, Hom, 59:47.

BOYS

Team champion: Soldotna

Friday five-kilometer boys freestyle

1. Karl Danielson, Ken, 13 minutes, 59 seconds; 2. Luke Fritzel, Gra, 14:10; 3. John-Mark Pothast, Sol, 14:14; 4. Josh Shuler, Sol, 14:52; 5. Jeremy Kupferschmid, Sol, 15:03; 6. Jacob Davis, Hom, 15:11; 7. Bradley Walters, Sol, 15:25; 8. Cole Fritzel, Gra, 15:28; 9. Warren Metzger, Gra, 15:32; 10. Kaj Taylor, Pal, 15:35; 11. Jode Sparks, Sol, 15:45; 12. Jack Harris, Sol, 15:45; 13. Denver Waclawski, Hom, 15:52; 14. Aiden Gannon, Gra, 16:08; 15. Nathan Kristich, Col, 16:19; 16. Jeremy Houston, Pal, 16:21; 17. Calum Colver, Col, 16:31; 18. Caleb Rauch, Hom, 16:43; 19. Ben Swanson, Val, 16:44; 20. Simeon Ramirez, Col, 17:01; 21. Elic Cowan, Col, 17:07; 22. Garrett Strait, Col, 17:28; 23. Jaxson Lee, Pal, 17:33; 24 (tie). Josh Foster, Ken, Joshua Taylor, Col, 17:34.

26. Ethan Kuzina, Col, 17:37; 27. Will Wallace, Gra, 17:48; 28. Erik Jones, Gra, 18:29; 29. Andy Super, Hom, 18:39; 30. Tristan Summers, Ken 18:42; 31. Egor Sturdy, Sew, 18:42; 32. Josh Wisner, Hom, 18:45; 33. Josten Carlson, Val, 18:49; 34. Billy Morrow, Ken, 18:50; 35. Ben Kettle, Hom, 19:13.

Saturday five-kilometer boys classic

1. John-Mark Pothast, 14:57; 2. Karl Danielson, Ken, 14:57; 3. Luke Fritzel, Gra, 15:16; 4. Jacob Davis, hom, 16:06; 5. Josh Shuler, Sol, 16:10; 6. Denver Waclawski, Hom, 16:35; 7. Jeremy Kupferschmid, Sol, 16:42; 8. Jack Harris, Sol, 16:48; 9. Cole Fritzel, Gra, 17:01; 10. Bradley Walters, Sol, 17:05; 11. Warren, Metzger, Gra, 17:20; 12. Jode Sparks, Sol, 17:26; 13. Nathan Kristich, Col, 17:27; 14. Kaj Taylor, Pal, 17:38; 15. Aiden Gannon, Gra, 17:47; 16. Jeremy Houston, Pal, 17:58; 17. Calum Colver, Col, 18:17; 18. Erik Jones, Gra, 18:18; 19. Joshua Taylor, Col, 18:31; 20. Elic Cowan, Col, 18:40; 21. Simeon Ramirez, Col, 18:44; 22. Garrett Strait, Col, 18:47; 23. Will Wallace, Gra, 19:11; 24. Jaxson Lee, Pal, 19:17; 25. Ben Swanson, Val, 19:22.

26. Ethan Kuzina, Col, 19:24; 27. Josh Foster, Ken, 20:34; 28. Egor Sturdy, Sew, 20:43; 29. Josh Wisner, Hom, 20:48; 30. Ben Kettle, Hom, 21:20; 31. Tristan Summers, Ken, 21:24; 32. Josten Carlson, Val, 21:47; 33. Billy Morrow, Ken, 21:57; 34. Andy Super, Hom, 23:46.

Two-day cumulative times

1. Karl Danielson, Ken, 28:57; 2. John-Mark Pothast, Sol, 29:11; 3. Luke Fritzel, Gra, 29:27; 4. Josh Shuler, Sol, 31:02; 5. Jacob Davis, Hom, 31:17; 6. Jeremy Kupferschmid, Sol, 31:45; 7. Denver Waclawski, Hom, 32:28; 8. Cole Fritzel, Gra, 32:29; 9. Bradley Walters, Sol, 32:30; 10. Jack Harris, Sol, 32:33; 11. Warren Metzger, Gra, 32:52; 12. Jode Sparks, Sol, 33:11; 13. Kaj Taylor, Pal, 33:13; 14. Nathan Kristich, Col, 33:47; 15. Aiden Gannon, Gra, 33:55; 16. Jeremy Houston, Pal, 34:20; 17. Calum Colver, Col, 34:48; 18. Simeon, Ramirez, Col, 35:45; 19. Elic Cowan, Col, 35:47; 20. Joshua Taylor, Col, 36:06; 21. Ben Swanson, Val, 36:07; 22. Garrett Strait, Col, 36:15; 23. Erik Jones, Gra, 36:48; 24. Jaxson Lee, Pal, 36:50; 25. Will Wallace, Gra, 37:00.

26. Ethan Kuzina, Col, 37:01; 27. Josh Foster, Ken, 38:09; 28. Egor Sturdy, Sew, 39:26; 29. Josh Wisner, Hom, 39:33; 30. Tristan Summers, Ken, 40:06; 31. Ben Kettle, Hom, 40:34; 32. Josten Carlson, Val, 40:36; 33. Billy Morrow, Ken, 40:47; 34. Andy Super, Hom, 42:25.