FVSEF competes at Snowbowl

Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation (FVSEF) traveled to Montana Snowbowl in Missoula on Feb. 4-5 with 16 athletes to compete in a two-day slalom event.

FVSEF athletes competed alongside 131 athletes from around the state.

“The weather on Saturday provided a challenging course for the athletes,” FVSEF Coach Woody Hust said. “Luckily on Sunday we had solid weather that provided a hard and fast race course.”

FVSEF athletes walked away with 23 top 10 finishes including 11 top three finishes.

FVSEF was also awarded the first place team award for the weekend.

On Saturday, FVSEF athlete, Burke Fox won first place in his division, as well as the fastest overall men’s time.

For the women on Saturday, Liesl Brust won first in the U8 division, Katie Hersom placed second in the U10 division, Isabelle Cooke placed second for U12, and Paetra Cooke placed second for U14.

On Sunday for the women, Liesl Brust finished first in the U8 division, Katie Hersom placed second for U10, and Isabelle Cooke placed first for U12. Men’s finishes for Sunday included Avery Caton finishing first for the U10 division, Ryder Elliot finishing first and Broderick Kneeland finishing second for the U12 division.

“Each of our athletes have areas they are focusing on individually for improvement,” Hust said. “Obviously a top 10, or podium finish, is the most visible result of improvement. As a coach, I am looking for each athlete to meet their individual goal, push their own boundaries, and come away from the weekend with solid life lessons. We are extremely proud of our athletes, they all raced great, and had a great time. To win the top team award is an amazing accomplishment, and is something we are very proud of. For us, it represents more than overall podium finishes for the weekend. We are so proud to see such a great group of parents supporting all the athletes, and to see the athletes themselves so supportive of each other. One of the great things about ski racing is that your best buddy on the team can also be your biggest competitor. Learning to balance your competitive urges with wanting your buddy to do his best as well is a great lesson for these athletes.”

FVSEF results

Saturday Slalom

Women

U8 Division

1. Liesl Brust

U10 Division

2. Katie Hersom

U12 Division

2. Isabelle Cooke

7. Campbell Fox

9. Raiya McCutcheon

U14 Division

2. Paetra Cooke

Men

U10 Division

6. Avery Caton

U12 Division

4. Broderick Kneeland

5. Buren Brust

U14 Division

1. Burke Fox

4. Cale Fox

8. Henry Smith

Sunday Slalom

Women

U8 Division

1. Liesel Brust

U10 Division

2. Katie Hersom

U12 Division

1. Isabelle Cooke

8. Raiya McCutcheon

Men

U10 Division

1. Avery Caton

U12 Division

1. Ryder Elliot

2. Broderick Kneeland

6. Buren Brust

U14 Division

7. Burke Fox

8. Cale Fox

9. Henry Smith