CRMS skiers to compete for state honors at Steamboat

By Joelle Milholm
Post Independent Staff
Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado
February 21, 2008

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CARBONDALE — In December Colorado Rocky Mountain School skier Fred Norquist earned a giant slalom win at Copper Mountain. Today and Friday, he’ll look to add another victory to his resume.

This one would count for a little more, as he’ll be taking on the state’s best in the Colorado High School Activities Association’s state skiing championship in Steamboat Springs. Norquist, along with CRMS teammates David Yanez, Becker Anderson, Kyra Gabow and Sydney Schachter, will be competing in the alpine events of slalom and giant slalom.

“Fred has a good shot at winning both the slalom and the GS. His GS has been strong all year, and his slalom has come around in the last couple of weeks, so if he can put clean runs together he will contend for the win in both events,” said CRMS alpine coach Sam Damon. “He’s managed to stay injury-free for the first time in a couple of years, which obviously helps to keep him on track with our training and racing schedule.”

Today’s slalom is at Howelsen Hill and begins at 3 p.m., the GS is on Friday at Steamboat Springs Resort on the trail known as See Me, and begins at 9:45 a.m.

Three Nordic skiers will also be competing at state for CRMS — Zoe Larmer, Molly Surls and Hilary Walecka. The experience on the squad ranges from Sulrs, who is the team captain, having several years under her belt, to Larmer who is in her second year with the team, to Walecka who just learned to ski this year.

“Surls has been skiing for several years on the team and is a strong classic skier,
” said CRMS Nordic coach Hannes Thum. “Walecka turned a really awesome attitude and a willingness to work hard into a pretty good skiing ability. She is tough and good natured and a great skate skier.”