Arritola posts best World Cup finish at Davos
Ketchum's Morgan Arritola was the top American, in a career-best 34th overall, during Saturday's Viessmann FIS Cross Country World Cup women's 10-kilometer freestyle race at Davos, Switz.
With her finishing time of 28:28, the 23-year-old Arritola was two minutes behind the winning mark of 26:22 recorded by Irina Khazova of Russia. That was better than Arritola's previous-best 47th-place finish at a World Cup in Valdidentro, Italy last February. On Sunday, Arritola was 77th in the Davos freestyle sprint.
Top U.S. weekend results were Kikkan Randall's seventh place in the sprint and Kris Freeman's career-best seventh in Saturday's men's 15k freestyle individual distance event.
Holiday wreath drive a big success for youth hockey
Earlier this fall, the Sun Valley Youth Hockey Association sold floral quality Christmas greens as a fundraiser.
Last Thursday, fundraising committee member Kelly Martin reported the SVYH exceeded its sales from the previous year, "met our financial goals and sold almost 1,600 items." She added, "This could not have been accomplished without all the loyal support of our customers and without all the players and families that went out and sold their minimum quota and more."
The top sellers were: Anthony Martin 74 wreaths, Jett Erickson 39, Jimmy Hague 35, Buey Grossman 33, Conner Manning 33, Ike Buxton 31, Morgan Pintler 31, Denali Stevens 29 and Tiernan Naghsh 28. Prizes for the top sellers ranged from a New York Rangers hockey bag to a Sun Valley Suns package and $75 cash.
All proceeds went to the SVYHA general operating fund, helping stabilize tuition rates for the program.
Winter chess tournament
Wood River High School's 2009 Winter Chess Tournament Dec. 5 attracted 14 teenagers and children who enjoyed the competition and treats. Santa Claus made an afternoon appearance, plus there were door prizes, candy canes and hardware for all the participants.
In the Grades 7-12 division, top placers were Andrew Uriarte, Tyler Jaramillo and Curly Ellis. The top placers in the Grades 4-5 and Grades K-3 categories were Darwin Porth, Dylan Porth, Josh Whitlock, Jake Whitlock and Wesley Brimstein.
Other participants were Desmond Porth, Nick Bruck, Shane Bruess, Miles Hendrix, Rebecca Self and Jason Black.
Sun Valley Half Marathon registration now open
Registration is now open for the sixth annual Sun Valley Half Marathon, scheduled for June 5, 2010. Early registration is $40 and will close on May 31. Late registration is $60 and runs June 1-4. Race day registration will be available for a cost of $65. Online registration is available at www.active.com Mail-in registration is also available. For registration information, race details and updates about the 13.1-miler go to sunvalleyhalfmarathon.com.
The Wood River Community YMCA in Ketchum will be offering its 10-week training program for the 2010 run. The program will begin in March, with more details to follow.
WRHS football players on All-Great Basin team
Six Wood River High School varsity football players have been named to the 2009 All-Great Basin Conference football team announced after the completion of last month's Milk Bowl prep football competition.
Making the first team as a defensive lineman was senior Evan Puluti. On the second team as a defensive back was senior Nick Chase, while junior Alex Thomas also made the second team as an offensive lineman.
Selection in the honorable mention category were senior Tyler Peters and juniors Nathan Farrow and Alex Padilla.
Allyn Reynolds of Twin Falls was "Coach of the Year." Gus Callen of Jerome and Zak Slotten of Twin Falls were chosen as the "Offensive Player of the Year," and "Defensive Player of the Year," respectively.
Carey seniors make Statesman All-State football teams
Carey High School senior football players Dillon Simpson and Todd Peck have been recognized by the Boise-based Idaho Statesman newspaper on its 2009 1A All-Idaho team. The paper published its selections on Sunday, Dec. 13 and included both Division 1 and 2 players on the 1A squad.
Simpson (75 tackles, 4 interceptions, 2 sacks) made the defensive first team as a defensive back for Division 2 Carey. Peck was chosen on the second team as an offensive and defensive lineman. "Player of the Year" was senior Dustin Rinker of the 2009 Division 2 state champion Salmon River Savages from Riggins.
Cheer and Dance Challenge held in Hailey
Spirit n' Motion Athletic School from Hailey—home of the Soldier Mountain All-Star Cheerleaders—hosted the Altitude with Attitude Cheer and Dance Challenge Dec. 12 at The Community Campus in Hailey. Participating were five regional Cheer Gyms, competing with immense talent.
Before hundreds of spectators, the judges graded the two-and-a-half minute routines by all ages from 3-18. The Soldier Mountain All-Star Cheerleaders did well at their home competition. The Senior Black Diamonds team took first place. So did the Youth Silver Stars team. The Mini team of Green Emeralds took second place.
Senior Hank Blunt and Mini Alaylia Norton took first places in Individual Tumbling, and senior Jenni Murphy earned first place in Individual Jumps.
The SMAS cheerleaders are off to Pocatello on Jan. 16 for their next competition.
B+ Hockey League results
Third-place Sharks (3-2) gave the first-place Vipers (4-1) an early Christmas present in Sunday night's action at Sun Valley Skating Center. Vipers jumped on the Sharks 5-1. It was 4-0 late into the third period before the Sharks finally got on the board. Leading Vipers were female teammates Sara Schroeder who scored twice and Jini Griffith who followed suit with a single goal. Taylor Walker and John Ellison Jr. rounded out the Vipers scoring. Jim Hobbs erased the Sharks goose egg.
Isles (3-1-1) moved into second place with a 5-2 win over the shorthanded Wildcats (1-4). Isles jumped out to 4-0 lead after one period behind two goals from Rod Watson and one apiece from Dale Johnson and Lia Johnson. Ken Pratt added a goal in the third period to finish off the Wildcats. Jim Hague and Dave MacMillan scored for the 'Cats.
With the first round of games wrapping up, Bad Dogs (1-3-1) thought they'd get back into the win column but Senators (1-2-2) scored a late goal for a 3-3 tie. Jeff "Crash" Ballou of the Senators, seeking his hat trick, skated in alone with 35 seconds left. His shot went wide only to be tapped in by Brad Musbach for the equalizer. Hutch's Bad Dogs got goals from Al Reynolds, Chris Roberts and Buck Drew.
Quigley Nordic lessons start Jan. 4
Take your Nordic skiing to the next level with ski lessons beginning Monday, Jan. 4 (snow permitting) at the Blaine County Recreation District's Quigley Nordic Park, Hailey.
Classes are offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays, and private lessons are available for classic or skate technique. The BCRD offers top-notch instructors to help you learn to skate ski or improve your skills. It's a good way to train for February's Wells Fargo Boulder Mountain Ski Tour.
For more information call Janelle at 788-9142 or visit bcrd.org and download a form.
