RESULTS: Flying Squirrel Freestyle Race!
Sat, Jan 25, 2025 - By Beth Major
Sun and crisp cold temps greeted the 50 racers who gathered at the Crystal Mountain XC Center for the 7th annual Flying Squirrel Freestyle race on Sunday Jan. 19th. Ranging in age 10-18, skiers from teams Crystal Nordic, Vasa Raptors, Lake Michigan XC, and Icy Instincts all showed their grit & guts in challenging conditions.
The Middle School 3.5, course featured fun roller coaster dips and turns on the brand new Rabbit Loop Trails. Ava Higley of Crystal Nordic set a pace from the start line that no one could match and took the overall win (13:51) with time to spare. Younger sister Anna Higley (5th grade) fought to catch her sister and landed in 3rd podium spot for girls, with TC Raptor Thalia Springborn taking 2nd. Adrien Weirzba came 1st for MS boys, (14.41) followed by Bennett Gailbraith 2nd and Noah Doornbos 3rd.
In the High School 5k, notorious for grueling hills and treacherous descents, the Raptors dominated the field. Girls: Ava Rae Zeratasky 1st (26:19), Lindsay Smith and Kathryn Clark filling out podium; for boys: Robert Myler 1st (22:30), Finn Frost Grayson 2nd Nate Gorman, 3rd.
The pizza party following served to celebrate our commitment to Youth skiing in Michigan!
Full race results below the photos!
Middle School Girls podium (Left to Right): Thalia Springborn, Ava Higley, Anna Higley
High School Boys podium (Left to Right): Nate Gorman, Robert Myler, Finn Frost Grayson
Middle School |
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Girls |
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| Rank | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ava Higley | 13:51 |
| 2 | Thalia Springborn | 16:40 |
| 3 | Anna Higley | 16:43 |
| 4 | Alana Springborn | 17:42 |
| 5 | Isabella Card | 25:06 |
| 6 | Elsa Preneta | 25:07 |
| 7 | Autumn Smith | 27:01 |
| 8 | Addie Grundeman | 27:35 |
Boys |
||
| Rank | Name | Time |
| 1 | Adrien Wierzba | 14:41 |
| 2 | Bennett Gailbraith | 15:12 |
| 3 | Noah Doornbos | 15:34 |
| 4 | Arrow Cole | 16:39 |
| 5 | Aaron Greenberg | 17:15 |
| 6 | Auggie Pityo | 17:27 |
| 7 | Charlie May | 18:27 |
| 8 | McKai Henry | 18:38 |
| 9 | Jasper Henry | 21:02 |
| 10 | Yul Springborn | 22:06 |
| 11 | Miriam Van Dusseldorp | 22:58 |
| 12 | Henrik Van Dusseldorp | 22:59 |
| 13 | Jacob Doornbos | 24:39 |
| 14 | Declan Boyd | 28:36 |
High School |
||
Girls |
||
| Rank | Name | Time |
| 1 | Ava Rae Zeratsky | 26:19 |
| 2 | Lindsay Smith | 26:52 |
| 3 | Kathryn Clark | 27:13 |
| 4 | Bella Reimers | 28:24 |
| 5 | Lulu Cole | 29:32 |
| 6 | Jemma Cole | 30:06 |
| 7 | Beatrice Plum | 30:23 |
| 8 | Gwyneth Shullick | 30:30 |
| 9 | Mae Madion | 30:41 |
| 10 | Avery Kelly | 30:46 |
| 11 | Kinsey Hintz | 31:42 |
| 12 | Althea Gaylord | 32:28 |
| 13 | Ana Sketch | 32:34 |
| 14 | Gwyneth Cole | 33:27 |
Boys |
||
| Rank | Name | Time |
| 1 | Robert Myler | 22:30 |
| 2 | Finn Frost Grayson | 23:14 |
| 3 | Nate Gorman | 23:36 |
| 4 | Harrison Jefferies | 26:22 |
| 5 | Toby Dawson | 26:23 |
| 6 | Owen Munch | 27:21 |
| 7 | Britton Wheeler | 27:22 |
| 8 | Tristan Naessens | 28:25 |
| 9 | Joel Sobkoviak | 29:59 |
| 10 | Brandon White | 30:09 |
| 11 | Patrick Belden | 31:26 |
| 12 | Walter Armstrong | 32:48 |