The Minnesota State High School League Alpine Championships in Biwabik, MN on February 13, 2024 was a day filled with anxiety and high hopes. Senior Jackson Reents, senior Abbi Pelava, senior Cole Caturia and freshman Kate Nowak all competed on Tuesday against a field of 120 boys and 120 girls who are the best skiers in the state. Alpine ski racing is a challenging and exhilarating, but unforgiving sport. It is a unique sport where individuals compete as a team but can also advance as individuals. A ski racer can have an amazing season, but just the slightest misstep can cause heartbreak for an athlete during a high-stakes competition.
Kate Nowak had a successful end to her freshman season skiing up from bib 65 to finish 33rd overall. Said Coach Jason Gergen, “Congrats to Kate on a tremendous climb up the leaderboard.” Cole Caturia accomplished his primary goal of making it to state and despite a serious bobble his first run, managed to finish in 30th place overall with a fantastic second run. Abbi Pelava and Jackson Reents began the year with the goal of bettering their performances of last season; an ambitious goal considering they were all-state athletes in 2023 when Pelava placed 16th and Reents placed 3rd.
Senior Jackson Reents was a favorite to win the MSHSL alpine championship for 2024. The day of the race, Reents was in the top spot after his first run of the day on Innsbruck edging out the nearest competitor by .20 seconds. This meant that the individual state championship title would hinge on Reents’s second run on Helsinki. At the state championship, the 30 top skiers after the first run are placed in a “flip” for the second run and ski in reverse order. As a result, Reents who was in first place on the first run would ski 30th his second time around.
“I came to the State Meet feeling confident,” Reents said. “I knew I was one of a few that could become the MN State Champion. That was one of my goals this season. I skied well on my first run and found myself in first place. I started my second run strong and at the bottom of the first pitch I scrubbed a little time. Being that the second place racer was so close, I knew I really had to push myself to make that time back. I gave it my all and unfortunately my ski hit some soft snow in a rut and pushed my ski forward enough that I was not able to make a gate at the very bottom of the course. I could have been more conservative and secured a good finish, but I came to win! No regrets! It was heartbreaking and it will sting for some time, but I am on to the next race. One race doesn’t define me. If you want to be an elite competitor in this sport, you have to be resilient.”
The Raider Alpine Ski team carries with it a legacy of support from alumni and their families who return each season to give back to their team. Tom Karnick, Aaron Herber, Adam Peine, and Zach Rother made the trek to Biwabik to coach and cheer on the state competitors from the top of the runs. Said Herber of Reents, “I know he gave it his all on that second run. We were at the top screaming for him as he took off out the start gate. I knew it was all or nothing for him. Jackson was going for it!”
Said Coach Gergen of his athletes, “I wanted to see them accomplish their goals as much as anyone, instead I saw an outpouring of support from racers, coaches, and parents from all teams. While I know it won’t be much of a consolation (after this race), it is something to be proud of. It means you’re doing it the right way, with the right attitude, and you’ve earned the respect of those around you.”
Gergen continued, “We began the year with a lot of expectations, and rightfully so. In the end I know there is some disappointment and heartbreak, but also a lot to celebrate. The first day of next season begins tomorrow!”
Go Raiders!
