Nordic skiers take top honors at Sun Valley

Last weekend, 12 members of the Glacier Nordic Prep Team made the long trek to Sun Valley, Idaho, to compete in the Western States Youth Ski Festival where the team, along with coach Chad Castren, was awarded the Team Sportsmanship Trophy.

Nearly 200 class J-6 through J-2 skiers in eight teams from Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah raced in the event, the culmination of the Nordic race season for the youngest skiers throughout the Rocky Mountains.

Skiers each entered four races, all held on the Lake Creek course, starting with a skate race on Saturday followed by an obstacle course race and a flying downhill. Events concluded Sunday morning with the classic race, followed by the final awards.

J2 boys Izaak Castren, Fisher Gangemi and Will Holdhusen swept their division, trading off first, second and third in all races. Gangemi took home the overall gold, followed by Castren and Holdhusen tying for second.

J3 skiers Connor Gray and Henry Holt dominated a deep field of 30 racers. Gray won the downhill and classic races, capturing the overall gold. Holt took silver in the skate and downhill events, placing fourth in the overall tally.

Sisters Madison and Cassidy Grady swept the girls downhill, winning their divisions. Strong performances were turned in by first-time Western States racers Rebekah Weaver, Tanner Brock, Lonnie Sherman and Colton Gorian.

J4 — 2K skate, Boys, 30, Colton Gorian; Girls, 8, Cassidy Grady, 13, Barrett Gray

J3 — 3K skate, Boys, 2, Henry Holt, 3, Connor Gray, 23, Tanner Brock, 24, Lonnie Sherman; Girls, 7, Rebekah Weaver, 8, Madison Grady

J2 – 3K skate, Boys, 1, Izaak Castren, 2, Fischer Gangemi, 3, Will Holdhusen

J4 — downhill, Boys, 23, Colton Gorian; Girls, 1, Cassidy Grady, 9, Barrett Gray

J3 – 3K downhill, Boys, 1, Connor Gray, 2, Henry Holt, 14, Lonnie Sherman, 28, Tanner Brock; Girls, 1, Madison Grady, 16, Rebekah Weaver

J2 —3K downhill, Boys, 1, Fischer Gangemi, 2, Izaak Castren, 3, Will Holdhusen

J4 — obstacle course, Boys, 26, Colton Gorian; Girls, 7, Cassidy Grady, 10, Barrett Gray

J3 — 3K obstacle course, Boys, 6, Connor Gray, 9, Lonnie Sherman, 19, Tanner Brock

J2 — 3K obstacle course, Boys, 1, Fischer Gangemi, 1, Will Holdhusen, 2, Izaak Castren

J4 — 2K classic, Boys, 29, Colton Gorian; Girls, 12, Barrett Gray, 13, Cassidy Grady

J3 — 3K classic, Boys, 1, Connor Gray, 7, Henry Holt, 22, Tanner Brock, 24, Lonnie Sherman; Girls, 13, Madison Grady, 16, Rebekah Weaver

J2 — 3K classic, Boys, 1, Will Holdhusen, 2, Izaak Castren, 3, Fischer Gangemi