The lone chance to compete on the home trails is Saturday for the Laramie High School Nordic skiing team.

They host a one-day Laramie Invite that features a 7.5 km skate or freestyle race east of town at the Happy Jack Recreation Area. The racing starts at noon on Saturday.

LHS head coach Rebecca Watson is excited to be on the home course but knows conditions could be interesting.

“I think it’s going to be pretty soft conditions unless it starts snowing, which is in the forecast. I think the kids really know this course, really well. We’re doing a couple lap course. They’ve skied these courses so much for practice this year, partially because they have the best snow on the hill, so I’m actually looking forward to this course because they have skied it so much.”

If it does snow, Watson said it makes the conditions slower.

“The times get slower, but as I always say to my athletes, everybody’s on the same snow, so everybody’s times will be slower. I think the big thing they have to focus on in soft snow is thinking about their tempo and turnover, and not letting themselves get bogged down in the snow.”

Laramie is hosting Casper Kelly Walsh, Casper Natrona County, and the combined Cody/Sheridan team for this event.

LHS competed last weekend at the Lander Invite. The boys’ team took third place, while the girls’ squad came in fifth.

The highlight was Tristan Smith winning last Friday’s 5 km skate or freestyle race by 0.1 seconds. He added a fourth place in the classic race last Saturday. Eliza Fay was the top performer for the LHS girls’ team. She finished 24th in the skate and 21st in the classic race.

Watson is very pleased with how her squad is looking a month into this season.

“It honestly has surprised me that everybody’s in a really good position. At this point in the season, like, I had no idea what to expect this year, and I feel like we’ve posted some really good results, and we’re starting to come together as a team.”

Watson added she’s hoping they can take advantage of being at home this weekend to boost the team over the next month.

Laramie Swimming

Fresh off a 5-0 weekend in the 4A Duals at home, the Laramie Plainsmen swimming and diving team is on the road for three duals over two competition days in Gillette.

Laramie beat Rock Springs, 107-74, and Evanston, 102-75, last Friday. They swept three duals last Saturday with wins over Campbell County (133-21), Cheyenne East (130-53), and Sheridan (103-77).

Laramie will swim Campbell County, Kelly Walsh, and Thunder Basin in separate duals. One will be on Friday with two more meets on Saturday.

Laramie Wrestling

The Plainsmen had a tough go last weekend with a 1-5 record at the Trojan Border War Duals in Casper.

LHS got their lone victory, 51-24, over Cody. They lost to Natrona County, Thunder Basin, North Platte, NE, Star Valley, and Kelly Walsh. Junior Ben Ruckman had the best weekend with a 4-2 mark at 170 pounds.

Laramie regrouped and defeated Cheyenne Central at home on Wednesday night, 39-27. Four pins and a win in injury time helped LHS prevail.

The Plainsmen are 12-9 in duals this season. They are at the Lander Invite on Saturday.

Laramie Alpine Skiing

The second competition weekend of the season is Friday and Saturday for the downhill skiers from LHS.

Laramie competes at the Kelly Walsh Bruce Studer Invitational at Hogadon Basin Ski Area on Casper Mountain.

It will be giant slalom racing on Friday, followed by slalom on Saturday. All the racing takes place on ‘Boomerang’ ski run.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

 

WYO MOVIES: Ten Legendary Actors Who Made Movies in Wyoming

More From KOWB 1290