Boys serve notice at home

Boys serve notice at home Durkin first at Hidden Valley; section meet coming up this week

Duluth East serves as the measuring stick for any school looking for success in high school Nordic skiing.

Last Saturday, the Ely boys did more than measure up.

With Ely skiers claiming the top four spots, the Timberwolves won the boys competition at the Ely Invitational, as about 250 skiers descended on Hidden Valley on a brisk morning and afternoon.

Senior Dylan Durkin finished first overall, while teammates Aksel Skustad, Eli Olson and Wyatt Devine followed in order from second through fourth as the Wolves toppled the perennially strong Greyhounds and served further notice that they’ll be a major factor at the section meet, which is set for Wednesday, Feb. 5 at Giants Ridge.

“For the boys, Saturday was a high point in our season,” said Ely Head Coach Todd Hohenstein. “We have been competing with Duluth East all season to answer the question who is the best team in Section 7. In December, they were out-skiing us. It was really difficult to break into the top three spots, or a place on the podium. Well, the last couple meets it seems that things have shifted in Ely’s favor.”

The Ely meet, which was the second to the last of the regular season, followed the section format with both freestyle and classic racing, and Durkin had a combined time of 31:02 to take first.

Skustad and Olson finished in a virtual tie for second at 31:25 and Devine followed.

“We were very surprised watching the boys come into the stadium at Hidden Valley at the end of the afternoon race and have Ely finish not just in the top spot, but the top four spots,” said Hohenstein. “They all skied great, but our top two seniors led the effort. Dylan and Eli are pulling everyone else up to their level of skiing and it’s making us a very tough team to beat. There is definitely a home course advantage with skiing a trail that you know where every bump and dip is found.”

Ely’s Milo McClelland took 17th with teammate Brooks Brenny one spot back, with Tory Hughley (21st), George Sponholz (23rd), Blake Houde (34th) and Oren Solum (35th) following.

“It was our first pursuit race for the season, so the skiers have to adjust to racing twice in one day,” said Hohenstein. “Overall, their training held up and many were very happy with their results The Wolves’ Tyde Brecke and Caleb Larson combined to take second in the varsity sprint relay.

Ely placed third among six teams in the varsity girls standings, with senior Anna Dunn taking 10th overall with a combined time of 38:07.

Mattie Lindsay (12th, 38:40) and Molly Brophy (16th, 39:59) followed.

“Our girls team has made steady improvements over the season,” said Hohenstein. “We are excited about the growth that some of our younger skiers have made in the last couple weeks. Our last regular season meet on Thursday in Duluth will give us the data needed to make the Section team selections. It will be tough to compete for a team qualification to the state meet this year. But that doesn’t define success for this group of athletes. The girls have set their own goals this season and have worked hard to reach those goals. I have been very proud of their effort and dedication.”

Anna Larson wound up 18th in the varsity girls standings and Ely teammates June Nelson (21st), Rena Johnston (29th), Alison Poppler (30th), Elsa Ellerbroek (31st) and Aila Harding (32nd) followed.

The varsity girls’ relay of Izzy Macho and Lucy Dunn placed eighth.

Ely’s Mason Molden took second in the junior varsity boys race, while the junior high girls competition was a sea of Ely red and white, with Addison Kannas winning the five-kilometer event in 13:45 and teammate Cora Brekke just three seconds behind in second.

Ely dominated the top-10 with Beck Sponholz (third), Ivy Ohlhauser (fourth), Siiri Nelson (fifth), Maddie Johnson (sixth), Lucy Luthens (seventh), Katy Brophy (ninth) and Brynn Larson (10th) following.

Top Ely finishers in the junior high boys race were Grady Anderson (sixth), Emory Hohenstein (seventh) and Boden Devine (12th).

The Ely teams were set to compete in Duluth Thursday in the regular season finale, and it took a virtual army to pull off the home meet.

“It was a great day all around for our program,” said Hohenstein. “Putting together a home meet like ours is a huge undertaking. We are very lucky community members step up to volunteer their time and energy to make our meet a reality. Over 50 volunteers took on different tasks to make sure the ski venue at Hidden Valley was ready to accommodate approximately 250 racers.”