Seven Baker area skiers competed for the Blue Mountain League team at the Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing Association’s state championships March 7-8 at Mount Hood Meadows.

Baker racers included five boys

— seniors Caleb Hills and Clark Norton, junior Ethan Hills and freshmen Chase Myatt and Zayne Hills.

Baker girls competing were junior Sofie Kaaen and freshman Liz Timm.

Boys results

Boys coach

Jon Copper said conditions were excellent, with sunshine both days.

“The weather was glorious, and snow conditions were good for ski racing,” Copper said. “The team had trained hard at Anthony Lakes Ski Area all winter, and were ready to test their skills against the best of Oregon high school ski teams. These athletes

have come a long way in a year of limited snow and training opportunities.”

In the slalom race on March 7, Myatt finished 26th, followed by Ethan Hills, 49th, Caleb Hills,

58th, Norton, 85th, and Zayne Hills, 91st.

The team placed 11th overall.

During the giant slalom race on March 8, Myatt had a crash on his first run which meant his results didn’t count in the individual standings.

“Skiing strong, the rest of the athletes finished both runs, giving Baker a team time, which kept them in the game for a combined result,” Copper said.

Ethan Hills placed 73rd in the

giant slalom, followed by Caleb Hills, 74th, Norton, 103rd, and Zayne Hills,

104th.

The Baker boys placed 22nd in the giant slalom, and 14th overall in the combined slalom/giant slalom results.

Girls results

Kaaen competed in the slalom race, and Timm in the giant slalom.

“Both girls did fantastic,” girls coach Robbie Sieckman said. “Sofie Kaaen hadn’t skied for two weeks before state, and still finished top 30 against some tough girls” in the slalom race. Kaaen placed 29th in the race.

“Liz Timm also did fantastic,” Sieckman said. “It’s her first year ski racing and her first big race, and first time traveling and racing against girls that aren’t on our

team. Overall it was a great race.”

Timm placed 63rd in the giant slalom.

Copper said both the slalom and giant slalom courses were “fast, technical and demanding.”

“At the top of the race courses were many national level coaches, a few with World Cup and Olympic experience. All teams came to play, and play hard. And so did the Bulldogs.”