BY HEATHER FOSTER

Fifty members of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Cross County teams took part in what was one of the biggest ross country events ever assembled this past weekend at Soldier Hollow, Utah.

Organizers of the Soldier Hollow Super Qualifier and Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association Ute Invitational put together new challenging courses alongside the new lodge and infrastructure, which will host the upcoming Junior Nationals in March 2025.

“This was one of the biggest events ever assembled for cross country with more than 700 athletes from Western Junior clubs and collegiate programs attending,” said Chris Mallory, SVSEF Cross Country Comp Team Head Coach. “There were many personal bests out there, but some standout performances came from Tait Boschen (U16) and Cora Faye Scott (U18) who placed third in the Classic races; and three U18/20 junior girls, Sammy Smith (US Ski Team), Molly Maybach, and Cora Faye Scott in the top seven of the Skate Sprint qualifier.  

In a stacked field of the top Western collegiate athletes, SVSEF Cross Country Alumni made their mark in Saturday’s RMISA Open Classic 7.5k race. Current SVSEF XC Gold Team member Peter Wolter placed fifth, while John Steel Hagenbuch who is now racing for Dartmouth College and the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team took eighth. University of Denver’s Elijah Weenig placed 18th.

“For our younger Prep Team athletes at their first Junior National Qualifier to have this unique opportunity and race alongside seasoned athletes was an invaluable experience,” said Becky Flynn, SVSEF Cross Country Program Director. “From prepping skis, to nutrition and hydration tips, to strategizing on how to race the courses, this kind of peer-to-peer mentorship stamps experience and memories in the minds of these young athletes, that they will always remember and turn to.”

For complete results, visit: https://www.muddydogsports.com/home.