Contributed by Derek Bynagle and Andy Rothenberger

The Kenai Invitational middle school meet was a 3.1-kilometer skate ski race at the Kenai golf course. The race was canceled two weeks earlier in the season due to conditions that were too cold, but the conditions at the Valentine’s Day Feb. 14 event were downright springy. It was warm and sunny for both the racers and spectators.

While mainly flat, the course provided some surprising challenges with snow that changed from icy to slushy to icy again. More than a few skiers found themselves falling in the changing conditions.

Homer’s Myra Kalafut and Skyview’s Ollie Dahl won individual titles, continuing their season dominance. The four Homer girls skiers took the top four spots, despite the first three having to backtrack on a detour up an extra hill on a wrong turn; and the Homer boys took five of the top 10 finishes.

Myra Kalafut (1) won at 10:22, followed by Etta Bynagle (2) at 10:25; Freya Bartlett (3) at 10:26; and Abby Ostrom (4) at 10:37 minutes. Homer’s Kahleah Butters took third in the coed short course race.

Skyview’s Ollie Dahl (1) won at 7:38 while CIA’s Trevin Moore (2) came in at 8:36. Homer’s Fletcher Darr (3) came in at 8:44, with Daniel Christ (4) at 8:46; Charlie Rustand (6) at 8:58; Gryffyn Linder (7) at 9:12; Arlo Hunter (9) at 9:30; Rhys Borland (15) at 10:02; Laif Rothenberger (20) at 10:28; Silas Hunter (23) at 11:00; Rubis Gervais (24) at 11:02; Aleksea Yatchmeneff (32) at 11:16; Yuki Bacher (35) at 11:50; Asher Faucher (41) at 12:20; Fisher Spurkland (45) at 12:30; and Micah Bunker (51) at 13:07. Yousef El Daly took second in the coed short course.

The Homer Huskies will host the KPBSD borough race at Lookout Mountain on Saturday, starting at noon. Come on out and cheer on your local racers!

Derek Bynagle and Andy Rothenberger are ski coaches at Homer Middle School.