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Northrop finishes first in Sierra race

Chad Sellmer, Tribune staff writer

South Tahoe High School’s Kendall Northrop finished first in the girls’ bracket of the Tahoe Basin Ski League on Wednesday at Sierra-at-Tahoe, helping her team to a second-place finish in the five-team race.

Northrop beat out Tahoe-Truckee’s Brandy Barna with a combined time of 1 minute, 18.47 seconds to Barna’s 1:20.27. Northrop won both heats of the day en route to the first-place finish.

“I felt pretty good today,” Northrop said. “It feels good to represent my school (with a first).”



The win was the first of her varsity career. Following the race, South Tahoe coach Jim Morgan heaped praise on his sophomore’s performance.

“Kendall is not only a great skier, but also is a well-rounded young lady and that reflects on her parents,” Morgan said. “She always has an ear-to-ear smile.”



South Tahoe team captain Kristin Royce noted that having only four seniors and a number of underclassmen on the team means a bright future for the sport at South Tahoe.

“I’m really proud of Kendall,” Royce said. “We all work together and come as a team. It’s nice to see that we have a lot of underclassmen this year.”

In the girls’ division, South Tahoe’s Casey Rise finished fifth with a time of 1:24.37, Lily Palmieri was 10th at 1:28.92, Julie Froyum placed 16th at 1:37.99, Darcy Albino was 20th with a time of 1:43.35 and Courtney Royce finished 22nd at 1:45.09.

Whittell’s Jannette Bak took the top spot for her team in the girls’ races at 21st with a combined time of 1:44.42. Brooke Schussel finished in the 23rd spot for Whittell and Sara Piccola was 24th.

Whittell senior Kathy Kiger, daughter of coach Mike Kiger, said her team’s spirit wasn’t dampened by the absence of Holly O’Brien, one of the top girls.

“We all get along and have so much fun together, like a big family,” Kiger said.

For the boys, South Tahoe had two in the top five. Marty Harris lead the Vikings by placing third with a combined time of 1:18.96, trailing North Tahoe’s Travis Ganong, who finished first at 1:17.06 and Russell Dodge at second with a time of 1:18.92. South Tahoe’s P.J. Bacon placed fourth at 1:19.89.

Whittell’s Patrick Flanagan finished in the top spot for his team at 18th with a time of 1:31.33. Justin Darrow placed 30th with a time of 1:42.20, James Benard was 31st at 1:43.54 and A.P. Faccinetti finished 32nd with a combined time of 1:50.81.

The overall standings saw North Tahoe in first place, followed by South Tahoe, Tahoe-Truckee, Whittell in fourth place and Douglas rounding out the group.

The next team race is Feb. 5 at Kirkwood, followed by races at Alpine Meadows and Diamond Peak.


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