It was an exciting race day in Cordillera on Saturday, Feb. 6 for MPHS Nordic. The weather could not have been more beautiful and the kids and coaches had two successful 3Ks: a classic pursued by a skate, each with about 100 other racers.

The boys came in with a 5th place team finish in the classic race. Logan Miyauchi led the pack in 6th in a time of 8:44, then Theo Loo in 13th with a time of 9:00, followed by Elliot Shaw in 22nd at 9:19. Ian Carver was 26th, Mark Simmons 30th, Liam Fuqua 38th, Kyle Ciccarelli 46th, and Jensen Hill 51st. All within the state qualifying time. Jake Kacik, Jeremy Peterson, Alex Law, Wil Cleveland, Isiah Calarman, and Evan Olson all completed the course well.

In the boys skate race, Theo Loo brought home a 5th place finish in a time of 7:57, followed by Logan Miyauchi in 12th at 8:10. Mark Simmons was 28th, Elliot Shaw 33rd, Liam Fuqua 36th, and Ian Carver 49th. All in qualifying time. Kyle Ciccarelli, Jeremy Peterson, Jensen Hill, Alex Law, Jake Kacik, Wil Cleveland, Isiah Callarman, and Evan Olson rounded out the team finishers.

The girls had a 6th place team finish in the classic race with Sierra Smith leading in 20th with a time of 11:28, then Emily Jensen in 23rd at 11:37, followed by Darby Howard in 35th and Rowen Gallagher in 36th-all within state qualifying time. Lizzy Barker, Sarah McClain, Katlyn Cimino, Mackenzie Deplata, Alyssa Petersen, Raelee Granger, Jesse Hoyhta, and Neva Meindl finished it off.

In the girls skate race, Sierra Smith was first in for the team with a 17th place finish at 10:13, followed by Emily Jensen in 25th at 10:54. Rowen Gallagher was 38th, Darby Howard 40th, and Lizzy Barker 41st. All in qualifying time. Sarah McClain, Raelee Granger, Alyssa Petersen, Mackenzie Deplata, Katlyn Cimino, Jesse Hoyhta, and Neva Meindl wrapped it up.

The team travels to Leadville for a skate race on Feb. 13 – their last regular race before state championships.