Kenai skiers sweep borough ski meet

The Kenai Central girls and boys cross-country skiing teams swept the Kenai Peninsula Borough ski meet Saturday at Tsalteshi Trails.

“It was happy and light,” Kenai head coach Brad Nyquist said. “The sun was shining, the course was fast and the kids were ready to go.

“They didn’t have a whole lot of practice this week because of the weather and the break in school.”

Greg Fallon finished the 5-kilometer skate in a lightning fast 13 minutes, 3 seconds to lead Kenai, while Kenai’s Tyler Hippchen was second at 13:11 and Kenai’s Jack Laker was third at 13:15.

Quinn Cox was fourth for Soldotna in 13:33, while Garrett Briscoe was fifth for Homer in 13:44.

Kenai was the top team at 1:03:56, while Soldotna was second at 1:07:11 and Homer was third at 1:12:26.

Nyquist said the race was perfect after holding regions last weekend, and with the state meet starting in Fairbanks on Thursday.

“I’m proud of how the boys and girls side both stepped it up today,” Nyquist said.

Kenai’s Jayna Boonstra won the girls race at 15:08, while Emily Moss was runner-up at 15:32 for the Kardinals. Homer’s Ireland Styvar was third at 15:39, while SoHi’s Jordan Ruffner was fourth at 15:44 and SoHi’s Ariana Cannava was fifth at 15:47.

Kenai’s girls had a team time of 53:49, while SoHi was at 57:11 and Homer was at 57:37.

Kenai Peninsula Borough ski meet

Saturday at Tsalteshi Trails

BOYS

Team times: 1. Kenai, 1 hour, 3 minutes, 56 seconds; 2. Soldotna, 1:07:11; 3. Homer, 1:12:26.

Individual 5-kilometer freestyle: 1. Greg Fallon, Ken, 13:03; 2. Tyler Hippchen, Ken, 13:11; 3. Jack Laker, Ken, 13:15; 4. Quinn Cox, Sol, 13:33; 5. Garrett Briscoe, Hom, 13:44; 6. Jody Goodrich, Hom, 14:08; 7. Seamus McDonough, Hom, 14:13; 8. Ben Boersma, Ken, 14:18; 9. Jonathan Gordon, Sol 14:19; 10. Carter Cannava, Sol, 14:32; 11. Zane Tews, Ken, 14:33; 12. Andrew Cox, Sol, 14:45; 13. Levi Mickelson, Sol, 14:53; 14. Trenton Boots, Sol, 14:54; 15. Trevor Guernsey, Sew, 15:03; 16. Benjamin Abel, Sol, 15:21; 17. Leif Jaworski, Hom, 15:30.

GIRLS

Team times: 1. Kenai, 53:49; 2. Soldotna, 57:11; 3. Homer, 57:37.

Individual 5-kilometer freestyle: 1. Jayna Boonstra, Ken, 15:08; 2. Emily Moss, Ken, 15:32; 3. Ireland Styvar, Hom, 15:39; 4. Jordan Ruffner, Sol, 15:44; 5. Ariana Cannava, Sol, 15:47; 6. Leah Fallon, Ken, 16:16; 7. Jordan Strausbaugh, Sol, 16:36; 8. Summer Foster, Ken, 16:58; 9. Gabriella Tews, Ken, 17:47; 10. Eryn Field, Hom, 18:00; 11. Katie Van Buskirk, Sew, 18:20; 12. Madison McDonald, Ken, 18:22; 13. Adele Tacey, Sol, 19:02; 14. Aly Guernsey, Sew, 19:05; 15. Sienna Hardyman, Hom, 19:09; 16. Daisy Walker, Hom, 19:36; 17. Ashley Dahlman, Sol, 19:40; 18. Avery Ciufo, Sol, 19:56; 19. Elena Badajos, Hom, 20:17; 20. Jaela Marchbanks, Hom, 21:25; 21. Emmy Reese, Sol, 22:27; 22. Leah Dunn, Hom, 22:46.