December 6, 2009 (Fairbanks, AK) – Reese Hanneman (FAST) and UAF student Rebecca Konieczny were the winners in Saturday’s Flint Hills Resources Town Series event, the Fairbanks Youth Sports Classic Sprint. Comfortable temperatures in the mid-to-high 20’s, Fahrenheit greeted the racers – an improvement of nearly 50 Fahrenheit degrees from the first race in the series, held two weeks earlier.

The day started off with the elementary and junior high races before getting to the elmination heats for the high school, adult and masters skiers. A total of 42 skiers participated in the Elementary and junior high classes.

Grade K-1-2 winners were Maggie Druckenmiller and Eric DiFolco. In grade 3-4 it was Amber Hajdukovich and Kevin Baird. Amber Lenze and Sam Hiltenbrand were the fastest grade 5 and 6 skiers, and Kiana Hamlin and Connor Smith were the junior high winners. The K-1-2 and 3-4 classes went 500m, grades 5-6 went 800m, and the junior high skiers skied a 1Km course.

One hundred twenty-three skiers participated in the elimination heats: 20 women in the “A” bracket, 27 women in the “B” bracket, 41 men in the “A” bracket, 22 men in the “B” bracket, and 13 masters men.

West Valley’s Sophia Walling-Bell captured the title in the “B” bracket, just ahead of teammate Kira Leonard. Lathrop’s Sarah King was third and Nichole Rood had one of North Pole’s best results of the day in 4th. WVHS skiers placed 5-6-7 with Mary Brunner of NSCF in 8th.

Erich Hoefler (FAST) won the “B” bracket for boys with Elliot Hummel of West Valley second and Ryan Rigo of Lathrop third, just ahead of teammate Connor Hajdukovich. Junior Nordic Comp’s David Swenson was fifth. Aven Bross (Lathrop), Dan Jelinek (Lathrop) and Gavin DeWilde (North Pole), making a good conversion from running, placed 6-7-8.

Rebecca Konieczny took control of the women’s “A” final right from the gun, with fellow UAF student Heather Edic in second for virtually the whole race. Hannah Boyer (West Valley) led the high school skiers in third overall, with teammates Eliza Rorabaugh and Elizabeth Whisenhant placing 4-5. Davya Flaharty (NSCF) was sixth and Lathrop Malemutes Claire Ferree and Mikayla Hamlin in seventh and eighth.

The final race of the day was the most exciting, with David Norris (FAST) and Reese Hanneman (FAST) battling throughout the heat for the top spot. At the finish, with both skiers jump-double-poling it was Hanneman by a little less than a ski-length over Norris. Tyson Flaharty (FAST) was third, but never threatened the leaders in the second half of the heat. John Parry (Alaska Nanooks) nipped 2007 NCAA Champion Marius Korthauer for fourth by a boot-length in the closest finish of the day. UAF student Lars Arneson was sixth, Wyatt Mayo (FAST) sixth, and Logan Hanneman of Lathrop was eighth after breaking a pole while attempting a pass at the top of the last climb.

Results

Grade K-1-2 Girls
1. Maggie Druckenmiller (NSC Fairbanks)
2. Halene Johnson (Weller)
3. Rachel Wisel (Weller)
4. Hannah Wolverton (Salcha SC)

Grade K-1-2 Boys
1. Eric DiFolco (Watershed)
2. Joshua Baird (Salcha SC)
3. Mason Wolverton (Salcha SC)
4. Ethan Hamlin (Weller)
5. Lars Vinlove (Watershed)
6. Alex Wease (Salcha SC)

————————-

Grade 3-4 Girls
1. Amber Hajdukovich (Salcha SC)
2. Hana Johnson (Weller)

Grade 3-4 Boys
1. Kevin Baird (Salcha SC)
2. Tigan Donaldson (Home School)
3. Kent Yoshikawa (JNC)
4. Graham Staley (Salcha SC)
5. Van Levey (JNC)
6. Maxwell Enderle (Salcha SC)

————————-

Grade 5-6 Girls
1. Amber Lenze (Salcha SC)
2. Jenna DiFolco (NSC Fairbanks)
3. Amanda Vesper (Weller)

Grade 5-6 Boys
1. Sam Hiltenbrand (NSC Fairbanks)
2. Joe Bue (NSC Fairbanks)
3. Connor Berry (Salcha SC)
4. Logan Mowry (NSC Fairbanks)
5. Mac Levey (JNC)
6. Caelan O’Neil (NSC Fairbanks)
7. Finn Swingle (NSC Fairbanks)
8. Dustin Staley (Salcha SC)
9. Jordan Lewis (Watershed)
10. Andrew Hanneman (Weller)
11. Colin Lease (Chinook)
12. Quinn Vinlove (Watershed)

————————-

Grade 7-8 Girls
1. Kiana Hamlin (JNC)
2. Hayley Johnson (JNC)

Grade 7-8 Boys
1. Connor Smith (JNC)
2. Max Donaldson (FXC)
3. Cory Johnson (JNC)
4. Torgen Karns (FXC)
5. Kengo Nagaoka (JNC)
6. Chord Tozier (JNC)
7. Tyler Staley (Salcha SC)

====================================

Women’s “A” Bracket Quarterfinal 1
1. Davya Flaharty (NSC Fairbanks)
2. Mikayla Hamlin (Lathrop HS)
3. Megan Edic (Lathrop HS)
4. Sarah Lilly (West Valley HS)
5. Elle Reinhard (West Valley HS)

Women’s “A” Bracket Quarterfinal 2
1. Hannah Boyer (West Valley HS)
2. Claire Ferree (Lathrop HS)
3. Kelly Schmitz (North Pole HS)
4. Maddy Button (Lathrop HS)
5. Sharon Baker (NSC Fairbanks)

Women’s “A” Bracket Quarterfinal 3
1. Heather Edic (unaffiliated)
2. Rachael Schmoker (West Valley HS)
3. Elizabeth Whisenhant (West Valley HS)
4. Sarah Jackson (West Valley HS)
5. Kieran O’Neil (West Valley HS)

Women’s “A” Bracket Quarterfinal 4
1. Rebecca Konieczny (unaffiliated)
2. Eliza Rorabaugh (West Valley HS)
3. Ema Mayo (West Valley HS)
4. Helen Sudkamp-Walker (West Valley HS)
5. Brigit Noon (West Valley HS)

Women’s “A” Bracket Semifinal 1
1. Hannah Boyer (West Valley HS)
2. Claire Ferree (Lathrop HS)
3. Mikayla Hamlin (Lathrop HS)
4. Davya Flaharty (NSC Fairbanks)
5. Megan Edic (Lathrop HS)
6. Kelly Schmitz (North Pole HS)
7. Maddy Button (Lathrop HS)
8. Sarah Lilly (West Valley HS)

Women’s “A” Bracket Semifinal 2
1. Rebecca Konieczny (unaffiliated)
2. Heather Edic (unaffiliated)
3. Elizabeth Whisenhant (West Valley HS)
4. Eliza Rorabaugh (West Valley HS)
5. Rachael Schmoker (West Valley HS)
6. Sarah Jackson (West Valley HS)
7. Ema Mayo (West Valley HS)
8. Helen Sudkamp-Walker (West Valley HS)

Women’s “A” Bracket B Final
1. Rachael Schmoker (West Valley HS)
2. Ema Mayo (West Valley HS)
3. Megan Edic (Lathrop HS)
4. Hannah Boyer (West Valley HS)
5. Helen Sudkamp-Walker (West Valley HS)
6. Kelly Schmitz (North Pole HS)
7. Sarah Lilly (West Valley HS)
8. Maddy Button (Lathrop HS)

Women’s “A” Bracket A Final
1. Rebecca Konieczny (unaffiliated)
2. Heather Edic (unaffiliated)
3. Hannah Boyer (West Valley HS)
4. Eliza Rorabaugh (West Valley HS)
5. Elizabeth Whisenhant (West Valley HS)
6. Davya Flaharty (NSC Fairbanks)
7. Claire Ferree (Lathrop HS)
8. Mikayla Hamlin (Lathrop HS)

========================================

Women’s “B” Bracket Quarterfinal 1
1. Sophia Walling-Bell (West Valley HS)
2. Sarah King (Lathrop HS)
3. Nichole Rood (North Pole HS)
4. Claire Weingartner (West Valley HS)
5. Moriah Gates (West Valley HS)
6. Tamara Fairbanks (West Valley HS)

Women’s “B” Bracket Quarterfinal 2
1. Sarah O’Leary (North Pole HS)
2. Kira Leonard (West Valley HS)
3. Maggie Black (West Valley HS)
4. Sarah Hummel (West Valley HS)
5. Hannah Ekblad (Lathrop HS)
6. Jill Anderson (West Valley HS)
7. Leslie Eckert (Lathrop HS)

Women’s “B” Bracket Quarterfinal 3
1. Julia Covell (West Valley HS)
2. Brooke Wilson (West Valley HS)
3. Mary Brunner (NSC Fairbanks)
4. Sarah Sherman (West Valley HS)
5. Dorothy O’Donnell (West Valley HS)
6. Blayne Clark (North Pole HS)
7. Ali Hadaway (Lathrop HS)
8. Nikki Spencer (Lathrop HS)
9. Zuzanna Piechnik (West Valley HS)

Women’s “B” Bracket Quarterfinal 4
1. Sarah Swanson (West Valley HS)
2. Julia Sherman (West Valley HS)
3. Michelle Strehl (West Valley HS)
4. Brandy Milles (West Valley HS)
5. Jordin Reitano (West Valley HS)

Women’s “B” Bracket Semifinal 1
1. Sophia Walling-Bell (West Valley HS)
2. Nichole Rood (North Pole HS)
3. Sarah King (Lathrop HS)
4. Kira Leonard (West Valley HS)
5. Sarah O’leary (North Pole HS)
6. Sarah Hummel (West Valley HS)
7. Claire Weingartner (West Valley HS)
8. Maggie Black (West Valley HS)

Women’s “B” Bracket Semifinal 2
1. Julia Covell (West Valley HS)
2. Sarah Swanson (West Valley HS)
3. Brooke Wilson (West Valley HS)
4. Mary Brunner (NSC Fairbanks)
5. Michelle Strehl (West Valley HS)
6. Julia Sherman (West Valley HS)
7. Sarah Sherman (West Valley HS)
8. Brandy Milles (West Valley HS)

Women’s “B” Bracket B Final
1. Sarah O’leary (North Pole HS)
2. Sarah Sherman (West Valley HS)
3. Claire Weingartner (West Valley HS)
4. Michelle Strehl (West Valley HS)
5. Julia Sherman (West Valley HS)
6. Sarah Hummel (West Valley HS)
7. Maggie Black (West Valley HS)
8. Brandy Milles (West Valley HS)

Women’s “B” Bracket A Final
1. Sophia Walling-Bell (West Valley HS)
2. Kira Leonard (West Valley HS)
3. Sarah King (Lathrop HS)
4. Nichole Rood (North Pole HS)
5. Sarah Swanson (West Valley HS)
6. Julia Covell (West Valley HS)
7. Brooke Wilson (West Valley HS)
8. Mary Brunner (NSC Fairbanks)

========================================

Men’s “A” Bracket Quarterfinal 1
1. David Norris (FAST
2. Lars Arneson (unaffiliated
3. Ian Wilkinson (unaffiliated
4. Cody Priest (unaffiliated
5. Max Kaufman (NSC Fairbanks)
6. Kyle Hanson (Lathrop HS)
7. Brandon Kowalski (West Valley HS)
8. Logan Pitney (West Valley HS)
9. Stoller Matt (North Pole HS)

Men’s “A” Bracket Quarterfinal 2
1. Marius Korthauer (NSC Fairbanks)
2. John Parry (unaffiliated
3. Pat Nugent (Lathrop HS)
4. James Leder (West Valley HS)
5. Kuba Grzeda (West Valley HS)
6. Michael Kowalski (FXC
7. Neill Toelle (West Valley HS)
8. Seth Stout (West Valley HS)
9. David Dubois (West Valley HS)
10. Alex Teslow (West Valley HS)

Men’s “A” Bracket Quarterfinal 3
1. Reese Hanneman (FAST
2. Wyatt Mayo (FAST
3. Nick Ferree (NSC Fairbanks)
4. Werner Hoefler (FAST
5. Gerry Hovda (NSC Fairbanks)
6. William Coleman (unaffiliated
7. Riley Troyer (West Valley HS)
8. Bobby Signor (West Valley HS)
9. James Lilly (West Valley HS)
10. Jason Paskvan (West Valley HS)
11. Simon Viavant (West Valley HS)

Men’s “A” Bracket Quarterfinal 4
1. Tyson Flaharty (FAST
2. Logan Hanneman (Lathrop HS)
3. Kipp Wilkinson (Lathrop HS)
4. Vanya Rybkin (West Valley HS)
5. David Durst (FXC
6. Stefan Hajdukovich (Lathrop HS)
7. Dorian Granger (Lathrop HS)
8. Zach Keskinen (West Valley HS)
9. Luke Castellini (Lathrop HS)
10. Ryan Cunningham
11. Nicholas Woolf (West Valley HS)

Men’s “A” Bracket Semifinal 1
1. David Norris (FAST
2. John Parry (unaffiliated
3. Marius Korthauer (NSC Fairbanks)
4. Lars Arneson (unaffiliated
5. Ian Wilkinson (unaffiliated
6. Pat Nugent (Lathrop HS)
7. James Leder (West Valley HS)
8. Cody Priest (unaffiliated

Men’s “A” Bracket Semifinal 2
1. Reese Hanneman (FAST
2. Tyson Flaharty (FAST
3. Logan Hanneman (Lathrop HS)
4. Wyatt Mayo (FAST
5. Werner Hoefler (FAST
6. Vanya Rybkin (West Valley HS)
7. Kipp Wilkinson (Lathrop HS)
8. Nick Ferree (NSC Fairbanks)

Men’s “A” Bracket B Final
1. Pat Nugent (Lathrop HS)
2. Ian Wilkinson (unaffiliated
3. Werner Hoefler (FAST
4. Vanya Rybkin (West Valley HS)
5. Nick Ferree (NSC Fairbanks)
6. Cody Priest (unaffiliated
7. James Leder (West Valley HS)
8. Kipp Wilkinson (Lathrop HS)

Men’s “A” Bracket A Final
1. Reese Hanneman (FAST
2. David Norris (FAST
3. Tyson Flaharty (FAST
4. John Parry (unaffiliated
5. Marius Korthauer (NSC Fairbanks)
6. Lars Arneson (unaffiliated
7. Wyatt Mayo (FAST
8. Logan Hanneman (Lathrop HS)

======================================

Men’s “B” Bracket Quarterfinal 1
1. Erich Hoefler (FAST
2. Elliot Hummel (West Valley HS)
3. Ryan Rigo (Lathrop HS)
4. Matt Bishop (West Valley HS)
5. Daniel Piscoya (West Valley HS)

Men’s “B” Bracket Quarterfinal 2
1. Daniel Jelinek (Lathrop HS)
2. Neil Magnuson (West Valley HS)
3. Gabriel Amaral (West Valley HS)
4. Keegan Rankin (Lathrop HS)
5. James Martin (North Pole HS)
6. Ryer Kornkven (Lathrop HS)

Men’s “B” Bracket Quarterfinal 3
1. David Swenson (RSMS)
2. Adam Paskvan (West Valley HS)
/3. Aven Bross (Lathrop HS)
4. Jack Swingle (West Valley HS)
5. Sam Kendall (Lathrop HS)
6. Alex Martinez (Lathrop HS)

Men’s “B” Bracket Quarterfinal 4
1. Connor Hajdukovich (Lathrop HS)
2. DeWilde Gavin (North Pole HS)
3. Matthew Scerbak (unaffiliated
4. Davis Tester (North Pole HS)
5. Dylan Nixon-Helms (Lathrop HS)

Men’s “B” Bracket Semifinal 1
1. Erich Hoefler (FAST
2. Elliot Hummel (West Valley HS)
3. Ryan Rigo (Lathrop HS)
4. Daniel Jelinek (Lathrop HS)
5. Neil Magnuson (West Valley HS)
6. Matt Bishop (West Valley HS)
7. Keegan Rankin (Lathrop HS)
8. Gabriel Amaral (West Valley HS)

Men’s “B” Bracket Semifinal 2
1. David Swenson (RSMS)
2. Connor Hajdukovich (Lathrop HS)
3. Aven Bross (Lathrop HS)
4. Gavin DeWilde (North Pole HS)
5. Adam Paskvan (West Valley HS)
6. Matthew Scerbak (unaffiliated
7. Jack Swingle (West Valley HS)
8. Davis Tester (North Pole HS)

Men’s “B” Bracket B Final
1. Jack Swingle (West Valley HS)
2. Adam Paskvan (West Valley HS)
3. Neil Magnuson (West Valley HS)
4. Matthew Scerbak (unaffiliated
5. Matt Bishop (West Valley HS)
6. Keegan Rankin (Lathrop HS)
7. Davis Tester (North Pole HS)
8. Gabriel Amaral (West Valley HS)

Men’s “B” Bracket A Final
1. Erich Hoefler (FAST
2. Elliot Hummel (West Valley HS)
3. Ryan Rigo (Lathrop HS)
4. Connor Hajdukovich (Lathrop HS)
5. David Swenson (RSMS)
6. Aven Bross (Lathrop HS)
7. Daniel Jelinek (Lathrop HS)
8. Gavin DeWilde (North Pole HS)

================================

Master Men Semifinal 1
1. Jim Button (NSC Fairbanks)
2. Bad Bob Baker (NSC Fairbanks)
3. Clint Ragan (NSC Fairbanks)
4. Caleb Richardson (NSC Fairbanks)
5. Josh Snow (NSC Fairbanks)

Master Men Semifinal 2
1. David Edic (NSC Fairbanks)
2. Joel Buth (NSC Fairbanks)
3. Karl Hanneman (NSC Fairbanks)
4. Rick Johnson (NSC Fairbanks)
5. Gary Holton (NSC Fairbanks)
6. Henry Irving (NSC Fairbanks)
7. Patrick Druckenmiller (NSC Fairbanks)
8. Bob Wilkinson (NSC Fairbanks)

Master Men’s B Final
1. Gary Holton (NSC Fairbanks)
2. Josh Snow (NSC Fairbanks)
3. Henry Irving (NSC Fairbanks)
4. Patrick Druckenmiller (NSC Fairbanks)
5. Bob Wilkinson (NSC Fairbanks)

Master Men’s A Final
1. David Edic (NSC Fairbanks)
2. Joel Buth (NSC Fairbanks)
3. Jim Button (NSC Fairbanks)
4. Bad Bob Baker (NSC Fairbanks)
5. Karl Hanneman (NSC Fairbanks)
6. Clint Ragan (NSC Fairbanks)
7. Rick Johnson (NSC Fairbanks)
8. Caleb Richardson (NSC Fairbanks)