Steele, Miller place at Nordic qualifiers

The Glacier Nordic Ski Team had a strong showing at the season's opening qualifier event Jan. 16-17 in Bozeman.

Anne Miller finished second in the women's J1 class in the 5-kilometer race and 33rd overall. She took eighth place in the sprints.

Jack Steele was fifth in the men's J1 class in the 10-kilometer race and 39th overall. He took 12th place in the sprint races.

The fields in both the 10-kilometer and 5-kilometer races were littered with collegiate- and OJ-aged skiers.

"Anne had a major breakthrough weekend," coach Ben Morley said. "Jack is right where he should be. He had an excellent race on Saturday. Both are well on their way to qualifying for nationals."

Conditions for the races were great, according to Morley, and wax temperatures stayed fairly steady. Former coaches Larry and Molly Bruce traveled with the team as wax technicians.

Morley said most of the J2 boys, ages 14 to 15, had solid races despite no top-10 finishes.

"They all finished in the middle of the pack against a tough group," he said. "There are some technique things to work on and some mental things, like how to prepare for the race."

Morley said he expects a better showing by the J2 boys at the next qualifier at Soldier Hollow, in Utah, at the end of the month. The experience gained in Bozeman should be invaluable, he said.

Stella Holt did not race at the qualifier due to sickness.

The team travels to Soldier Hollow on Jan. 30-31.