Local ski teams weathering the storms

MAT-SU — With wind, slush, rain and the random dumping of snow, it’s been a wild winter so far in the Mat-Su Valley. And nobody is following the ever-changing snow conditions more than the local cross-country ski programs.

The local prep season started with the Mat-Su Miracle race at Colony High School, dubbed the “Miracle,” because it’s the first time the Knights have been able to host any type of ski event in more than two years.

“It was really nice to get a chance to practice at Colony for a while,” Colony coach Mark Strabel said earlier this year. “(Palmer High coach) David Knopp came up with the name (of the race), and he named it right.”

The rain, wind and slush that followed that early season snowfall forced the local ski practice back to Hatcher Pass, but Valley teams were able to compete in a pair of races before the holiday break.

Palmer swept the team titles in the Mat-Su Miracle, and the coaches are excited about the potential for the 2011-12 season. The Moose started the season with 43 skiers on the squad.

“It’s pretty nice,” Palmer coach Colleen Fisk said earlier this season. “We have beginning skiers all the way up to experienced skiers.”

Leading the Palmer boys is senior Schlyer Knopp, who placed a Valley-best eighth overall at the Lynx Loppet in Anchorage earlier this month. The Moose also have Aube Strickland, Andrew Liebing, Kaden Holladay and Jesse Dahms.

Fisk said Palmer’s top two skiers are Knopp and Strickland, but the next six are really close.

“They kind of switch around,” Fisk said.

Knopp finished second overall in the Region III Championships last year. Strickland was 10th overall.

Hannah Smith and Meagan Lynn lead the Palmer girls. Smith finished seventh overall at regions last year. Fisk also noted senior Celia Hull.

Colony started with 48 skiers on the roster, 18 more than last year.

“This is one of the best teams I’ve coached,” Strabel said recently. “It’s a great group of skiers to be with.”

Colony is led by senior Abe Meyerhofer, who finished fifth overall in regions last year. He was third in the 10-kilometer freestyle.

The Knights also have Darien Sinnett, Brandon Schafer, Jake Buck, Eli Morris and Leo Jaschak on the boys roster.

Brittney Anderson and Tracie Haan are among the leaders on the Colony girls roster. The Knights also have Bailey Meyer and Makenzie Thompson.

Connor Mattson leads the Wasilla Warriors into the 2011-12 season. Mattson finished ninth overall in the Region III Championships.

Valley skiers return to action Jan. 6 at Valdez.

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