This year there were 10 shooting lanes making wait times nearly non-existent. In the early days of the Seeley Lake Biathlon, there were only five shooting stations resulting in long waits and many complaints.
Many agreed with Seeley Lake Nordic Club volunteer Karen Pratt - the biathlon is a great spectator event. With each racer skiing three loops and shooting, there is ample opportunity to cheer. Since the range is situated adjacent to the start/finish and the penalty loop, it's easy to catch all the action. Race Director Chris Lorentz said there were 41 volunteers plus two groomers that helped make this year's event happen.
Seeley-Swan High School English teacher Lori Messenger pushes hard through the women's 21K finish for the gold finishing in 1:26:43.77.
A new resident to Seeley Lake Steve Humpal takes a shot standing. He finished second in the men's 9K in 36:11.11.
Seeley Lake Nordic Team member Hattie Batchelder takes aim standing. She took first in the female 3K. The ski team only practiced shooting on Friday.
SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Biathlon continued to grow this year drawing racers from across western Montana Feb. 1. Ninety-six racers took to the course putting their skiing ability and marksmanship to the test in the 21K, 9K and 3K races. The smiles on everyone's faces said it all as they hung out near the finish in the sunshine with temperatures in the upper 40s.
Race Director Chris Lorentz was very pleased with how smooth the race went. Grooming was a challenge with warm weather preceding the race and no new snow. However it didn't seem to affect the racers.
Many of the 21K racers felt like the snow conditions were great. As the morning progressed, the snow softened. Winner of the Male Youth 9K Owen Hoag said the first lap around at 11 a.m. was great except for a few icy spots. However by his third lap, the snow was "mashed potatoes" in several spots.
Third place Youth 9K Male Eric Lorentz added that because the snow was so abrasive, his wax was gone by the third 3K loop.
"It was just a slog to finish," said Eric.
Everyone was really happy with the improvements to the range, except for the racers who were hoping for a chance to catch their breath while waiting in line. The lines were almost entirely eliminated with 10 lanes. Racers added they appreciated the level targets and more gradual climb out of the range so they could get their poles on and keep moving.
All skill levels participated from people who had never shot a gun to elite biathletes from the Bozeman Biathlon Club. Lorentz said that because the races started an hour apart, parents could race in the 9K and be finished in time to see their child compete in the 3K.
"It was a great event, fabulous grooming and excellent volunteers out on the course," said 21K overall winner Darren Zellman of Seeley Lake who shaved nearly five minutes off his time from last year. "Everyone seems really happy and it was a big field with great competition this year."
Zellman was joined on the podium with Seeley-Swan High School English teacher Lori Messenger who won the 21K for the women finishing in 1:26:43.77.
This year, the event had more than 40 volunteers from the Wilderness Sportsman's Club, Seeley Lake Nordic Club, Seeley-Swan Search and Rescue, local game wardens and friends of Lorentz.
Lorentz was grateful to everyone who volunteered, participated and came out to support the racers.
"There was a great flow. The weather didn't destroy us. Everybody I've talked to so far is happy as can be that they got to do a biathlon," said Chris. "It was just a really, really good event."
Local Finishers (full results at http://competitivetiming.com/results/205588O):
21K Male Adult: Darren Zellman, Seeley Lake, 1st, 1:08:47; Tim Swanberg, Ovando, 5th, 1:16:57
21K Female Adult: Lori Messenger, Missoula - SSHS teacher, 1st, 1:26:43
9K Female Adult: Ella Batchelder, Seeley Lake, 2nd, 39:15.93
9K Male Adult: Steve Humpal, Seeley Lake, 2nd, 36:11.11; Heath Hanson, Potomac, 8th, 47:10
9K Female Youth: Cora Stone, Seeley Lake, 1st, 39:55.05
9K Male Youth: Owen Hoag, Seeley Lake, 1st, 31:59.80; Will Batchelder, Seeley Lake, 2nd, 33:30.75; Eric Lorentz, Seeley Lake, 3rd, 34:57.53
3K Female Youth: Hattie Batchelder, Seeley Lake, 1st, 18:38.20; Ryan Pitman, Seeley Lake, 2nd, 21:29.99; Isis Snow, Seeley Lake, 3rd, 24:15.46; Kieu Snow, Seeley Lake, 4th, 25:39.93; Audrey Stevenson, Seeley Lake, 5th, 25:58.79; Brittney Kelley, Seeley Lake, 6th, 47:58.28
3K Male Youth: Noah Stone, Seeley Lake, 2nd, 15:05.04; Land Neudecker, Seeley Lake, 4th, 19:24.25; Kimber Hanson, Seeley Lake, 7th, 21:34.96; Sam Ayers, Seeley Lake, 8th, 21:43.64; Eli Nicholas, Seeley Lake, 10th, 23:59.92; Trey Good, Seeley Lake, 11th, 24:45.96; Jesse Wink, Seeley Lake, 12th, 31:15.74; Ossian Burton, Seeley Lake, 13th, 32:23.73; Harrison Burton, Seeley Lake, 14th, 35:59.36; Dominick Wink, Seeley Lake, 15th, 36:54.23; Parker Pitman, Seeley Lake, 16th, 43:27.14; Nate Treser, Seeley Lake, 17th, 48:51.93
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