No matter the change, always a challenge

SEELEY LAKE – After winner of the OSCR 50K Orion Berryman crossed the finish line and caught his breath Saturday, Jan. 26, a conversation with race organizer Lynn Carey ensued about the difficulty of the two 25K loop course. Both agreed that the elevation change of 5,000 feet in the two-loop courses versus the 3,400 foot change in the one-loop course and the technical skiing required met the challenge racers have come to expect over the last 37 years of the OSCR.

"The only thing constant about the OSCR is change," said Carey. "OSCR is a tough race and we are [darn] proud of it."

While the OSCR has had up to four loops in the past, the course has been a single loop that ran over Rice Ridge for the past several years. This year, with the salvage logging and plowed snowmobile trails, the race course was two, 25K loops.

This course was a more technical course with skiers having to do the hills and the corners, unlike the out and back course that took racers over Rice Ridge.

"The big course is just brute strength, especially the four mile hill," said Carey.

Carey said that the shift to a two-loop course works well because the race does not depend on the Seeley Lake Driftriders grooming the snowmobile trail with the piston bully the night before and skiers don't have to worry about snowmobilers on the course. Carey said they could also ask the Forest Service to shut down the Auggie Road for the day, which is not a request they would consider on the Rice Ride Road.

Spectators enjoyed the chance to cheer on the 50K racers as they came through on their first lap and at the finish. It also gave racers a chance to drop out of the race, change skis if needed or drop additional clothing. 50K racers were required to complete the first lap in two and a half hours or their bib was pulled.

"They can keep skiing but I'm not responsible for them anymore," said Carey who has missed the awards ceremony in the past because 50K racers took longer than the allotted five hours and were still on the course.

"We were worried because it was a two lap course but it seems like people are doing well," said Seeley Lake Nordic Club member Karen Pratt.

Carey added that after talking with racers following the race, "we are considering going back to the two loop format."

Berryman finished ahead of 39 other racers taking back the 50K title beating Henry Reicht, from Missoula, by nearly 12 minutes with a time of 2:45:19. This was more than 30 minutes slower than his fastest OSCR.

"Lynn told me you are only as good as your last year result...I guess I'll keep training," said Berryman and smiled.

Berryman added that he appreciated the competition and complimented Reicht for always "pushing it hard. Last year I gave myself an asthma attack so I really wanted to avoid that this year. It really changes how you race the race."

The first year Berryman skied the OSCR was in 2012. He said he had no idea what he was getting into. When he got to the top of Rice Ridge there was at least six inches of slop.

"I've never skied in slower conditions. You couldn't even pick your ski up. It was horrendous," said Berryman. "I asked myself, 'Who puts on a race like this?'"

Carey smiled and proudly said, "We do."

Berryman added, "You race around the country and you get these stadium races. This one you get to go on the Forest Service roads and get out in the middle of nowhere and see some beautiful views. It is definitely unique."

The only local in the men's 50K this year was Tim Swanberg. He finished seventh in the field of 48 skiers and first in his age group with a time of 3:26.29.

Thirteen of 17 women that started the 50K finished. Hannah Specht of Missoula won with a time of 3:21:59. Seeley Lake's Kim Grover placed fifth overall and first in her age group with a time of 3:55:53.

Sandwiched between the Skiesta last weekend and the Biathlon Feb. 2, the race organizers made sure to change up the 25K, 10K and 5K courses.

"Everything is a little different. You change it up for people," said Pratt. "We have such a good group and a lot of help doing these things."

There were 20 women and 28 men that raced in the 25K. Bigfork's Don Bauder crossed the finish line first for the men with a time of 1:33:12. Robin Welling of Missoula was the first women off the course with a time of 1:39:56.

Ovando's Madeline Swanberg placed fourth in the women's 25K and was first in her age group.

In the men's 25K, Angus Batchelder of Seeley Lake placed fifth overall and first in his age group with a time of 1:41:08. Seeley Lake 14-year-old Klayton Kovatch came in eighth overall and was the youngest racer in the 25K.

There were nine females and nine males in the 10K. Missoula 15-year-old Freya Jones, daughter of Seeley-Swan High School English Teacher Lori Messenger, took the gold, finishing in 37:27. Fourteen-year-old Ruedi Steiner of Whitefish led the men's 10K race finishing in 33:15.51

For the local women, Zia Kloetzel of Ovando and Ella Batchelder of Seeley Lake for the second race in a row crossed the finish line together in 1:04:42 taking eighth and ninth place.

Seeley Lake's Owen Hoag finished third overall and second in his age group finishing in 33:28. Seeley Lake's Eric Lorentz finished sixth overall and fourth in his age group in 42:10.92.

Many from the Seeley Lake Nordic Junior Prep Team participated in the 5K race. Many completed their first race at last week's Skiesta and for others this was their first race ever. While Seeley Lake Nordic Team's Head Coach Bridget Laird said she was hesitant when the young racers expressed interest, she took them on the 5K at practice on Thursday and many decided they could do it.

"The 5k included a lot of young kids from Seeley," said Cary. "That is very encouraging to see so many little kids out there getting some exercise."

Seeley Lake's Cora Stone won the girls' 5K with a time of 22:53.98. There were five racers in the event.

Missoula's Virgil Jones, son of Messenger, won the boys' 5K with a time of 21:41.17. He raced in a field of 11.

Other Seeley Lake 5K girls (members of the junior prep team*): Hattie Batchelder, 2nd overall, 2nd in age group, 27:14; Kilty Hanson, 3rd overall, 3rd in age group, 31:24; Isis Snow*, 5th overall, 2nd in age group; 40:03.76.

Other Seeley Lake 5K Boys (junior prep team*): Noah Stone, 2nd overall, 2nd in age group, 21:56.25; Sam Ayers, 3rd overall, 3rd in age group, 27:20.35; Kimber Hanson*, 5th overall, 2nd in age group, 34:44; Land Neudecker*, 8th overall, 5th in age group, 45:04; Sam Welch*, 9th overall, 6th in age group, 46:34; Dominick Wink*, 10th overall, 7th in age group, 47:09; Jesse Wink*, 11th overall, 8th in age group, 52:11.

For complete results visit competitivetiming.com and click on OSCR results.