Athlete News, January 10, 2020
Freestyle
Steamboat moguls skiers podium at US selections
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — As Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club freestyle skier Wyatt Antkiewicz made his way down the U.S. Moguls Selections course, the crowd cheered.
“Go Bubba!” “You got this Bubba!”
When he stepped onto the podium after earning third place in the singles finals, they shouted “Bubba” even louder.
“My mom gave me that nickname when I was first born just because I was a big baby,” said Antkiewicz with a laugh. “I was pretty fat.”
Having long grown out of his baby chub, Antkiewicz earned an 83.6 to take third on Thursday, Jan. 9. He wasn’t the only SSWSC athlete on the podium, as Landon Wendler earned second, while U.S. Ski Team member Jesse Andringa picked up the victory.
Wendler also has a nickname, Lando, a shortened version of his name, but also a reference to Star Wars General Lando Calrissian. The crowd, filled with locals and passersby, yelled “Lando” as Wendler picked up an 83.9 on his final run. Andringa won with a 90.
“That was the main goal, to podium today, go for the win, as always,” said Wendler.
Cross Country
2020 U.S Cross Country Skiing Championships
U.S. Cross Country Skiing Championships take place the first week in January annually. The 2020 four race event was held In Houghton, Michigan on the Michigan Tech Huskie trail system. This is the fourth time Houghton has hosted the event. Houghton is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and is known for its cold winter temperatures and abundant snow. The weather in the Houghton region had been unseasonably warm leading up to the event, but changed for the better just prior to the first race.
Four SSWSC XC athletes made the trip to Houghton this time, with a host of SSWSC Alumni, who ski for NCAA teams, participating also. The initial race was a Freestyle Sprint. By rules, only 30 athletes per gender advance from the Qualifier to the Quarter Final Heats and have the opportunity to improve upon their qualifying position. SSWSC Alumni, Noel Keeffe (U of U/USST), qualified in fourth position, but was boxed out in his quarter final heat and finished the day in 26th place. Not a result he would be happy with, but Sprinting is unpredictable once the heats start. The Sprint was won by U20 skier, Gus Schumacher (AWS/USST). Gus was part of the USA’s World Junior Relay Gold Medal Team from last season. The women’s Sprint was won by Hailey Swirbul, an Aspen, CO native skiing for Alaska Pacific University and the US Ski Team. She is the most successful junior XC athlete ever, with multiple World Junior medals to her credit. Race organizers do provide 12 semi-final spots per gender for athletes under the age of 20 years old. SSWSC’s, Wally Magill, placed 9th in the boy’s junior field. Alumni, Waverly Gebhardt (UVM), won the Junior Girl’s Sprint. Alumni, Jimmy Colfer (DU), place 6th in the Junior Boy’s Sprint. The boy’s sprint was won by James Kitch (Harvard Univ).
The following day’s competitive schedule had an Individual Start Freestyle (skate) Race for the competitors: 15 kilometer for the males and 10 kilometer for the females. Alumni, Finn O’Connell (UVM), placed 15th overall. U18 athlete, Wally Magill, was 34th overall, 2nd U18. SSWSC athletes, Chase High and Cooper Jones placed 102 and 132, respectively. The 15k was won by Kyle Bratrud (SMS/USST). In the women’s 10k, SSWSC athlete, Ellory Kearns, came in 132. The race was won by former Finish National Team Member and World Championship Medalist, Riitta-Liisa Roponen.
After a rest day, the competition heated up again with a Mass Start Classic race. A 30k for the men and a 20k for the women. There were also shorter distance races for the U20 and younger juniors: 10k for the males and 7.5k for the females. Alumni, Finn O’Connell, again had a notable race effort, finishing 15th overall. The 30k was won by U.S. Ski Team Member, Erik Bjornsen. The women’s 20k found Aspen’s, Hailey Swirbul atop the podium again. Hailey is the USA’s most decorated junior XC athlete, winning multiple World Junior medals in the last three years. In the Junior boy’s 10k, Steamboat’s Wally Magill, rubbed elbows with the lead pack all race, finishing 5th overall, 2nd U18. Chase High took 41st. Cooper Jones placed 58th. The 10k was won by Luke Jager (U of U/USST). Finishing first in the girl’s 7.5k, was Sun Valley’s Sidney-Palmer Ledger. Alumni, Waverly Gebhardt (UVM), placed 6th and present SSWSC athlete, Ellory Kearns finished in 47th place.
The National Championships double as qualifying races for key international events: Nordic World Junior Championships and the United States Ski and Snowboard sponsored U18 Nations Cup Trip. For U18’s and U20’s, the better of two races score towards qualifying totals. SSWSC’s Wally Magill, qualified second in the U18 group. He will be heading to Falun, Sweden on January 19th with the US Ski Team. Alumni, Waverly Gebhardt (UVM), finished tied for 7th in the female World Junior Qualifying List, just one place shy of gaining a spot on the team. Alumni, Finn O’Connell (UVM), has solidified a place on the U23 World Junior Team. A very significant accomplishment for Finn.
Alpine
The Colorado Ski Cup
The COlorado Ski Cup is the highest level regional series for high school and collegiate age skiers (ages 16 and older). It was the next race in the series after the Holiday Classic before Christmas. Attached photos from the slalom race on 1/5 were taken by me and could be used with an article.
Cole Puckett
Highlights:
January 5 – Slalom:
Steamboat Springs resident and University of Denver freshman Cole Puckett took his first ever career FIS (International Federation of Skiing) victory on the same day his younger brother and 16-year old SSWSC athlete Cooper Puckett had his best every FIS finish in his first year of FIS racing placing 5th overall, first for the U19 age class. Seven of the top 11 have Steamboat ties. For the women, Helenka Ostaszewski just missed the overall podium finishing in 4th place, while teammate Isabelle Washburn, age 16, competed in her first race in a year since suffering an injury and finished 6th from a 55th start position.
Helenka Ostaszewski
January 6 – Slalom:
7 Steamboat girls in the top 13 led by Ostaszewski again in 7th followed by two 16 year olds Riley Grosdidier and Isabelle Washburn. In the men’s race, Louis Nguyen finished on the podium in 3rd.
Isabelle Washburn
January 7 – Giant Slalom:
16 year old Riley Grosdidier took second place sandwiched between two University of Colorado international recruits! 16 year old teammate Isabelle Washburn again made a huge move finishing in 7th place from a 55th start position in her first giant slalom race since her injury. Cam Owens was the top U19 racer on the men’s side, and was joined on the U19 podium by SSWSC teammates Bode Flanigan in 2nd and Cam Smith in 3rd.
RESULTS:
1/5 Women’s SL
1, Kaitlyn Harsch, University of Colorado, 1:25.83
2, Randi von Wichman, Alyeska Ski Club, 1:26.71
3, Andrea Arnold, University of Colorado, 1:26.93
4, Helenka Ostaszewski, SSWSC, 1:28.35
6, Isabelle Washburn, SSWSC, 1:29.09
7, Lauren Geary, SSWSC, 1:29.37
10, Sequoia Anstine, SSWSC, 1:30.07
11, Elsie Halvorsen, SSWSC, 1:30.22
14, Soneva Scott, SSWSC, 1:31.86
15, Emily Craig, SSWSC, 1:32.34
17, Bella Amico, SSWSC, 1:32.72
25, Ryli Adrian, SSWSC, 1:35.54
40, Nicole Nolting, SSWSC, 1:50.60
1/5 Men’s SL
1, Cole Puckett, University of Denver, 1:24.27
2, Filip Forejtek, University of Colorado, 1:24.91
3, Joey Young, University of Colorado, 1:25.69
4, Jack Lindsay, Colo Mtn College, 1:26.84
5, Cooper Puckett, SSWSC, 1:26.96
7, Trey Seymour, SSWSC, 1:27.04
9, Zack Mikkelson, Colo Mtn College, 1:27.06
10, Cam Owens, SSWSC, 1:27.28
11, Chase Seymour, SSWSC, 1:27.32
13, Matt Smallhouse, SSWSC, 1:27.42
16, Cam Smith, SSWSC, 1:27.60
17, Harrison Goss, Colo Mtn College, 1:27.64
19, Jordan Simon, SSWSC, 1:28.26
23, Peter Dohr, SSWSC, 1:29.33
24, Aiden Mann, SSWSC, 1:29.37
25, Kyle Kagan, SSWSC, 1:29.46
32, Marat Washburn, SSWSC, 1:33.92
40, Connor Crossen, SSWSC, 1:36.12
47, Bode Flanigan, SSWSC, 1:46.49
48, Nick Orfanakis, SSWSC, 1:50.12
1/6 Women’s SL
1, Stefanie Fleckenstein, University of Colorado, 1:32.33
2, Andrea Arnold, University of Colorado, 1:32.74
3, Kaitlyn Harsch, University of Colorado, 1:32.76
7, Helenka Ostaszewski, SSWSC, 1:35.07
8, Riley Grosdidier, SSWSC, 1:35.42
9, Isabelle Washburn, SSWSC, 1:35.93
10, Sequoia Anstine, SSWSC, 1:36.33
11, Elsie Halvorsen, SSWSC, 1:36.61
12, Soneva Scott, SSWSC, 1:36.94
13, Maggie Sullivan, SSWSC, 1:37.10
15, Jaelie Hovey, SSWSC, 1:37.70
25, Ryli Adrian, SSWSC, 1:40.93
32, Marissa Drobek, SSWSC, 1:45.55
35, Nicole Nolting, SSWSC, 1:47.60
39, Maren Elvidge, SSWSC, 1:50.16
1/6 Men’s SL
1, Joey Young, University of Colorado, 1:27.96
2, Filip Forejtek, University of Colorado, 1:28.09
3, Louis Nguyen, SSWSC, 1:29.09
6, Jack Lindsay, Colo Mtn College, 1:29.82
7, Zack Mikkelson, Colo Mtn College, 1:29.94
14, Trey Seymour, SSWSC, 1:30.47
15, Bode Flanigan, SSWSC, 1:39.50
16, Sergi Piguillem, Colo Mtn College, 1:30.55
17, Jordan Simon, SSWSC, 1:30.63
19, Cam Smith, SSWSC, 1:30.78
21, Harrison Goss, Colo Mtn College, 1:30.96
23, Colton Sankey, SSWSC, 1:31.61
24, Chase Seymour, SSWSC, 1:31.70
31, Marat Washburn, SSWSC, 1:35.06
32, Aiden Mann, SSWSC, 1:35.15
33, Cole Gedeon, SSWSC, 1:35.21
34, Peter Dohr, SSWSC, 1:35.41
35, Louis Weiner, SSWSC, 1:35.59
36, Matt Smallhouse, SSWSC, 1:35.65
40, Connor Crossen, SSWSC, 1:36.79
45, Jevon Hovey, SSWSC, 1:39.13
55, Nick Orfanakis, SSWSC, 1:44.62
62, Will Russell, SSWSC, 1:47.25
1/7 Women’s GS
1, Stefanie Fleckenstein, University of Colorado, 2:16.04
2, Riley Grosdidier, SSWSC, 2:17.66
3, Emma Hammergaard, University of Colorado, 2:18.46
7, Isabelle Washburn, SSWSC, 2:20.99
8, Elsie Halvorsen, SSWSC, 2:21.12
17, Nicole Nolting, SSWSC, 2:26.35
20, Sequoia Anstine, SSWSC, 2:27.84
22, Emily Craig, SSWSC, 2:28.23
28, Maren Elvidge, SSWSC, 2:34.58
1/7 Men’s GS
1, Colby Lane, Aspen, 2:03.38
2, Filip Forejtek, University of Colorado, 2:03.44
3, Alexander Birkner, University of Colorado, 2:04.18
6, Cole Puckett, University of Denver, 2:04.58
10, Trey Seymour, SSWSC, 2:04.92
11, Cam Owens, SSWSC, 2:04.93
15, Chase Seymour, SSWSC, 2:05.94
16, Bode Flanigan, SSWSC, 2:06.15
17, Cam Smith, SSWSC, 2:06.31
18, Kyle Kagan, SSWSC, 2:06.64
19, Matt Smallhouse, SSWSC, 2:06.92
22, Cole Gedeon, SSWSC, 2:06.96
23, Aiden Mann, SSWSC, 2:06.97
26, Nick Unkovskoy, SSWSC, 2:07.37
29, Louis Nguyen, SSWSC, 2:07.81
31, Colton Sankey, SSWSC, 2:09.40
33, Peter Dohr, SSWSC, 2:10.62
42, Connor Crossen, SSWSC, 2:13.93
U10
Today’s training day was all about having fun, skiing terrain, and getting back our group focus after the long Holiday break.
We skied Norther, Surprise, the Hurricane bumps and a section of the WJW trees. A favorite run of the day was Twilight Trees on which we encountered not a single person (and the resort was busy!).After lunch, all of us hiked to East Face and loved the fresh snow over there. We ended our day on Bashor skiing the GS course and the terrain park. Overall, a really great day!
U8
We had an AMAZING day on the mountain today, with tremendous progress from everyone! Every single skier now knows how to skate and can do it really well – even on slight inclines! The kids can all do a solid herringbone step up hills, and everyone is working on keeping their skis parallel when we side step. This is huge progress.
We spent some time today focusing on sliding and gliding, as well as on edging. We side slipped on mellow and steeper terrain to learn sliding and edging, and we did airplane turns (where we touch our boots with our outside ski hand and raise our inside ski hand up in the air) to really get the feel of our skis and edges during the turn, and the glide of the flat ski in between turns. We have also been working on balance through playing poprocks, skiing on one ski and doing three sixty’s (on the ground). And we are working on skiing parallel through eating our pies, skiing with French fry skis, and linking our S snake turns. We also try to rip it up by going off of every jump and bumpy trail through the trees that we can find.
We are intentionally spending time on mellow terrain in order for the kids to try to push their speed with skating and ensuring that they are comfortable enough to work toward French fry (parallel) and S turns. Take a look at the photos from today. Truly, the kids are making amazing progress.
The kids have named our team the “Powderhound Snowy Cat Rockstars”, which is a mouthful and tons of fun. Izzy is our Junior coach, and she rocks at demonstrating games, being our engine and caboose at different times, and helping the kids learn how to do a hockey stop and stop at the side of the run.
U6
A fun day in the fresh snow!
