MADISON – Madison’s Elver Park hosted the 164 fastest state junior skiers Feb. 2-3.
Two-person relays on Saturday and several heats of head-to-head racing on Sunday determined the state sprint champions.
With the weather misty and warm, every second counted as skiers bolted out of the starting gate to position for the first sharp turn, pushed up and over the hill, used the descent to gain time, circled back, climbed again and controlled speeds for two more sharp turns to finish in a straightaway.
Emerging victorious for the Ashwaubenon Nordic Ski Team (ANST) in the high school boys’ relay were Daniel Huhtala (Ashwaubenon) and Ryan Thieme (Bay Port).
A second ANST varsity team of Alex Lukens and Kevin Johnson finished sixth.
Teammates Jackson Adler (Green Bay East) and Kait Behm (Ashwaubenon) took third in the mixed-gender relay.
All ANST skiers qualified for the quarterfinals on Sunday and six made it through to the finals.
Jackson Adler was crowned sprint champion, with Daniel Huhtala in second and Ryan Thieme in fourth overall. Alex Lukens was third in the B final and Kevin Johnson, sixth.
Kait Behm finished in eighth overall in the high school girls’ race.
Joe Stumpf (Pulaski) was second overall in the boys’ middle school sprints.