Submitted by Jason Gergen and Jennifer Herber

The Hastings Alpine Ski Team recently ventured north to Wild Mountain for the Jack Zahr Memorial Race and conference championship, and then south for the 46th Annual Welch Invitational Race at Welch Village Ski and Snowboard Area. On Monday, January 18 at the Wild Mountain race, the girls faced some stiff competition including top ranked Hill Murray and Minneapolis Washburn. The girls were led by Abbigail (grade 10) and Taylor Pelava (12) who finished 10th and 14th, while seventh grader Kate Nowak rounded out the top twenty in 18th place. The rest of the girl’s team included juniors Mallory Karnick and Yeliz Erdem, senior Kira Lindstrom, sophomore Jolie Pettit, 9th grader Alexa Loritz, and middle school athletes Claire Caturia, Addison Maniak, Madeline Paulson, and Madeline Herdt. In the end they had to settle for third out of the seven teams competing.

The boys flexed their muscle on the way to victory with Jackson Reents (grade 10) taking the overall win followed closely by Aaron Herber (11) in second, and Zach Rother (11) in seventh. Gavin Molitor (9), Charlie Millhollin (12), and Caleb Kimmes (12) all finished in the top twenty while, Jacob Schield (11), James Millhollin (10), and Joe Peine (12) all added valuable points. The JV Boys put up a good fight but couldn’t quite match St Thomas. Will Bauer (grade 8) was the top finisher for Hastings in fifth place, followed by James McNamara (7), and Weston Chandler (8) in the top twenty. Nathan Schield (7), Trent Schulte (9), Fernando Castello (12), Finn Caturia (9), Mason Leary (8), Jadon Mike (9), and Hayden Gunter (10) made up the rest of the Hastings JV squad.

On Friday, January 21, conditions were brisk with much of the day at sub-zero temps. Hastings skiers showed heart and girt and competed, showing their all. Alpine Varsity Girls finished with a strong fourth place lead by Kate Nowak (grade 7) who placed seventh overall followed by Abbigail Pelavav (10) and Taylor Pelava (12) who finished 13th and 20th overall. Varsity Boys won the invite with a strong showing of 218 points over rival Stillwater Ponies at 199 points. Top finishers for the Hastings Varsity Boys team were Jackson Reents (10) who placed second, Aaron Herber (11) placing third, Cole Caturia (10) placing seventh, Zach Rother (11) placing 14th, Caleb Kimmes (12) placed 15th overall, with Charlie Millholin (12) bringing in valuable points. JV Boys finished with a fourth place standing and seventh place hardware was brought home by James Millholin (9). Congratulations to the JV Girls who placed seventh out of nine competing teams. Way to go Raiders!