STORY BY HEATHER FOSTER

PHOTOS BY JEN SANTORO

This past week the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Cross Country Team took the first-place trophy by a large margin at the Western Club Championships in Park City, Utah.

The U18 Boys--Cyrus Pott, Zach Quesnel and Caleo Morrison--swept the podium in Sunday’s 8-kilometer Freestyle Mass Start, with senior Wren Hassman placing first and second in his two races.

First place-winners were Wren Hassman, Caleo Morrison, Stella St. George, Cyrus Pott and Josephine Renner.

Sixteen clubs representing eight states took to the RTS Trails for three races over two days. Challenging conditions dictated that both race days be Freestyle technique versus the original schedule, which planned for a Classic race on Sunday. 

Members of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Prep, Prep Progression and Comp Teams made the trip to Park City to compete.

SVSEF handily earned the title over peer ski clubs including Jackson Hole, Wyo., and Bozeman, Mont. Not only did the U18 Boys sweep the podium in Sunday’s 8km Mass Start, but several skiers in all age categories set personal records. 

“While the results are exciting and impressive, the team’s camaraderie and enthusiasm for fun and costumes made the trip stand out,” said Fiona Ahearne, SVSEF Cross Country Assistant Comp Team Coach. “The Western Club Championships was an amazing note to end on for our season and for our amazing seniors.”

Some of the SVSEF Cross Country Team also had the opportunity to spectate at the Western Club Championships while at Junior Nationals, as the venues were a mere 25 miles apart.  

“Our Junior Nationals team came to watch and cheer, which was really special for the team—especially the seniors,” said Becky Flynn, SVSEF Cross Country Program Director. “The atmosphere and energy were electric and it was so fun to see all our skiers cheering everyone on and having some stellar results to top it off!”  

SVSEF ATHLETE RESULTS

SATURDAY, MARCH 8

U18/20 F – 8km Freestyle Interval Start

1 Wren Hassman

5 Riley Siegel

9 Anna Gilman

U18/20 M – 8km Freestyle Interval Start

1 Caleo Morrison

2 Cyrus Pott

4 Zach Quesnel

7 Taylor Carlson

9 Stratton Cunningham

U16 F – 6km - Freestyle Interval Start

1 Stella St. George

2 Josephine Renner

6 Tessa Dondero

7 Sydney Brown

12 Dylan Buck

17 Lauryn Stevens

20 Anna Koonce

U16 M- 6km - Freestyle Interval Start

8 Bailey Kurtz

10 Owen Wellner

12 Finn O’Donnell

16 Henry Flynn

U14 F – 4km - Freestyle Interval Start

5 Sydney Nelson

8 Payton Daley-Scheingraber

U14 M – 4km - Freestyle Interval Start

2 Thijs Lloyd

19 Cody Lloyd

SUNDAY, MARCH 9

U18/20 M – 8km Freestyle Mass Start

1 Cyrus Pott

2 Zach Quesnel

3 Caleo Morrison

6 Stratton Cunningham

7 Taylor Carlson

U18/20 F – 8km - Freestyle Mass Start

2 Wren Hassman

U16 M – 6km - Freestyle Mass Start

9 Bailey Kurtz

10 Finn O’Donnell

11 Henry Flynn

U16 F – 6km - Freestyle Mass Start

1 Josephine Renner

2 Stella St. George

6 Tessa Dondero

7 Sydney Brown

12 Dylan Buck

15 Lauryn Stevens

18 Anna Koonce

U14 M – 4km - Freestyle Mass Start

3 Thijs Lloyd

15 Cody Lloyd

U14 F – 4km - Freestyle Mass Start

4 Sydney Nelson

6 Payton Daley-Scheingraber

2025 Western Club Championship (WCC) Team Points Totals

Rank Club Points

1 Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation 2279

2 Park City Ski and Snowboard 1867

3 Auburn Ski Club 942

4 Team Soldier Hollow 881

5 Jackson Hole Ski Club 850

6 Bridger Ski Foundation 747

7 The Utah Nordic Alliance 666

8 Tahoe Endurance Academy 432

9 Boulder Nordic Team 380

10 Team Summit Colorado 249

11 Nevada Union High School 202

12 Big Sky Ski Education Foundation 195

13 Crested Butte Nordic Team 140

14 Mammoth Nordic Racing 64

15 McCall Nordic 47

16 Plain Valley Ski Team 40