The Durango High School alpine ski team competed in its second slalom race of the year on Friday in Winter Park, and Toby Scarpella reached the top of the podium for the second time.
Scarpella, a junior, had the fastest first run and fastest second run to score his second slalom victory of the season. Scarpella raced through the gates in 45.28 to take a 0.78-second lead after one run. The competitors went slower on the second run as the day progressed, but Scarpella managed to extend his lead with a 52.84-second run, eventually finishing first by over one second in 1:38:12.
Scarpella also won the slalom race at Eldora the prior week.
The Demons had five more skiers score a state-qualifying performance in Winter Park, bringing the team’s total to 11 qualified athletes. Ian Fehr, Finn Scarpella, Zach Oliver, Annabel Carithers and Maddie Le Sage all qualified for the slalom championships at the event.
“Wow, another great week,” said DHS head coach Jill Carithers. “Winter Park proved to be another great race for our team and student athletes.”
Junior Ava McLellan led the DHS girls’ team with a fifth-place finish on Friday. McClellan was in seventh after her first run of 55.61, but moved up a few spots with the third fastest second run of 1:00.17 for a total time of 1:55.78.
Freshman Lauren McClellan finished seventh overall in 1:57.69. Junior Alaysia Cullum finished 15th in 2:03.68, sophomore Annabel Carithers placed 18th in 2:04.79, and Le Sage, a junior, placed 20th out of 91 skiers in 2:07.86 to punch her ticket to the state meet.
In the boys’ competition, Scarpella led DHS, but was joined by four of his teammates in the top 17, including three new state qualifiers.
Freshman Holden Bronson was the second fastest Demon, finishing 10th out of 73 competitors in 1:49.25. Sophomore Fehr crossed 12th in 1:52.66, freshman Finn Scarpella finished 15th in 1:55.69 while Oliver, a freshman, placed 17th in 1:57.28.
In the team races, the Durango boys and girls both finished in third place.
Middle Park had three skiers finish in the top-seven to win the boys team title with 171 points. Battle Mountain finished second with 165, followed by Durango (164), Vail Mountain School (143), Eagle Valley (129), Lake County (49) and Clear Creek (no score).
Middle Park finished first in the girls’ team race with 159 points, led by individual champ Olivia Niedwiecki (1:46.98). Nederland finished second with 158, followed by Durango and Vail Mountain School (157), Battle Mountain (150), Lake County (146) Eagle Valley (123) and Clear Creek (114).
The Demons will next race on Friday at Ski Cooper.
