Palmer skier earns borough title

WASILLA — A Palmer skier grabbed an individual title during the Mat-Su Borough Championships Saturday in Talkeetna.

Joseph Walling completed the 6.5-kilometer course in the boys’ freestyle race in an even 20 minutes to finish first in the event. Walling was just about a minute faster than runner-up Nate Kristich of Colony.

Kristich was the first of three Knights to finish in the top 4. Elic Cowan (21:14) and Bradley Grover (21:21) followed in third and fourth. Taft Steiner led the Wasilla boys with a sixth-place finish.

Colony swept the team titles.

Bella Block led the Knights in the girls’ race, also a 6.5-K freestyle, with a second-place finish and time of 24:10. Cathelyne Powers finished third for the Knights with a mark of 24:18, and Emily Wright was fifth with a time of 27:30.

Caitlin Bales led Wasilla with a fourth-place finish and time of 26:47. Tatum Roderick was 10th to lead Susistna Valley. Zoe Copp placed 12th to lead Palmer.

Local prep skiers are now preparing for the Region III Championships, which start Friday at the Government Peak Recreation Area near Palmer. The 5-K classic is Friday and the 5-K and 7.5-K freestyle races are Saturday.

Mat-Su Borough Championships

Saturday, Talkeetna

Girls team scores:

1. Colony 1:44:08; 2. Valdez 1:48:55; 3. Palmer 2:06:43; 4. Susitna Valley 2:23:10.

Boys team scores:

1. Colony 1:26:51; 2. Palmer 1:30:05; 3. Wasilla 1:36:18; 4. Valdez 1:42:27.

Boys’ individual results:

1. J. Walling, Pal 20:00; 2. N. Kristich, Col 21:01; 3. E. Cowan, Col 21:14; 4. B. Grover, Col 21:21; 5. B. Swanson, Val 21:22; 6. T. Steiner, Was 21:37; 7. R. Qualls, Pal 22:30; 8. K. Taylor, Pal 22:52; 9. D. Halfacre, Col 23:14; 10. J. Taylor, 23:51; 11. C. Colver, Col 24:03; 12. A. Ravencraft, Was 24:05; 13. M. Singh, Pal 24:41; 14. L. Graupman, SV 24:43; 15. K. Greathouse, Was 24:56; 16. J. Banner, Val 25:35; 17. B. Brunnhoelzl, Was 25:38; 18. M. Clyde, Col 25:42; 19. A. Bashor, Was 25:45; 20. E. Kuzina, Col 26:24; 21. L. Miller, Pal 26:44; 22. B. Waddell, Pal 27:05; 23. C. Owens, Pal 27:14; 24. C. Prevost, Val 27:20; 25. N. Johnson, Col 27:48; 26. J. Villanueva, Pal 27:54; 27. C. Cummins, Val 28:09; 28. J. Carlson, Val 32:46; 29. M. Eveland, SV 37:09.

Girls’ individual results:

1. R. Norris, Val 22:52; 2. B. Block, Col 24:10; 3. C. Powers, Col 24:18; 4. C. Bales, Was 26:47; 5. E. Wright, Col 27:30; 6. T. Huston, Val 27:53; 7. S. Spaic, Col 28:09; 8. T. French, Col 28:21; 9. C. Connell, Val 28:56; 10. T. Roderick, SV 29:03; 11. A. Alfaro, Val 29:13; 12. Z. Copp, Pal 30:18; 13. J. Mueller Col 30:55; 14. A. Lord, Col 30:59; 15. G. Singh, Pal 31:17; 16. T. Malone, Col 31:28; 17. V. Korenev, Val 32:04; 18. I. Bailey, Pal 32:23; 19. C. Krafft, Pal 32:44; 20. L. Alverts, Pal 32:45; 21. T. Shepler, Pal 32:45; 22. P. Ripley, Col 34:30; 23. C. Harrell, SV 35:32; 24. C. Keller Val 36:38; 25. C. Yerbich, Col 36:44; 26. J. Colver, Col 37:41; 27. K. Germain, SV 38:48; 28. R. Miller, Val 38:58; 29. H. Holcomb, SV 39:51; 30. M. Barker, Col 39:57.