The 2018 Wyoming State Nordic Skiing Championships will be Friday and Saturday at the Happy Jack Recreation Area just east of Laramie.

The two days of competition will start with a 5K skate race at 1 p.m. Friday. That will be followed by a 10K freestyle or classic race at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Thanks to recent snow, Laramie will get to host the event. That was a concern of Laramie High School head coach Rebecca Watson for a good chunk of time this season thanks to a milder winter, but they’re ready now.

Watson talked with KOWB’s David Settle about the hosting the state championships. They discussed the course conditions, the benefit of being on their home course, senior Liam McInroy’s chances of repeating and more around the title weekend.

Jackson won both team titles last year by 54 points in the girls division and 33 in the boys. Laramie has the defending champion for both individual boys’ races in Liam McInroy. He swept the skate and freestyle races in 2017 by 20 and 30 seconds, respectively. There will be a new champion crowned for each of the girl’s races, as last year’s winner graduated.

Besides Laramie, skiers from Casper Kelly Walsh, Casper Natrona County, Cody, Jackson Hole, Lander Valley and Pinedale High Schools will be competing.

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