Jorgen Anderson doesn’t think he could have scripted a better finish for how the B.C. Alpine Teck Zone Finals at Big White went for the Apex Ski Club.
Anderson, coach of ASC, watched as Kayley Davies won the U14 championship and Heming Sola took it on the U12 side at the end of March.
“Sola is the strongest in the province,” said Anderson. “He won every race except the ones he fell in. He pretty much just slam dunked the season. He’s a talent. He is super coachable and he is just continuing to grow.
“It was really good,” continued Anderson with the club getting those championships to add to their provincial victories earlier in March.
In U12 girls slalom, Noa Rogers won both races, while Ana Large took silver in the second race. ASC had Rodgers, Large and Blanka Gerloczy in the top 15 the first day. Rogers, Large and Gerloczy cracked the top 10 on the second day.
“Great little season for those three girls,” said Anderson.
In the U14-plus group, B.C. Alpine combined in that section up to U18. ASC had Davies, Tyrah Henderson, Agatka Koczij, Lily Manon Gentes and Molly Wells finish in the top 15. On the second day, Davies was the top skier in U14-plus, followed by Pasin at seventh overall, Gentes eighth and Koczij 10th. Anderson said that Koczij had her best result of the season.
On the boys’ side Sola had a strong showing in the U12 group. A stop in the first run put him in second, then on the second day he topped teammate Jake Erikson by five seconds, finishing in one minute, 24 seconds and seventy-two hundredths of a second to Erikson’s 1:29.12.
“That is pretty big,” said Anderson of Erickson’s result. “That was a bit of a surprise for him. He had the best run of his life on Sunday. He is starting to get it.”
Connor Robinson finished 13th to crack the top 15 on the first day. On the second day, Jaras Grant finished 14.
In the 14-plus group, Isaac Athens took third, followed by Tamatea Westby and Noa Borg. In U16, Kyle Blaser was fourth overall. On the second day, Marcus Athans, U16, took third overall, brother Isaac in U14 was sixth overall, Borg was eighth, Devin Blaser, 11th and Aaron Leaman was 12th.
Next up for ASC is the Whistler Cup, which features best skiers Western Canada. The club will be represented by the Athans brothers, Borg, Westby, Leaman, Davies, Koczij, Anderson and Hanna Marsh De Boer.
“They will be definitely challenged,” said Anderson, adding that Marcus will be face the best in his age group. “He’s (Marcus) had an awesome season. That kid is a real talent.”