Eighty-five skiiers, all but two from "out of town",
participated in the O.S.C.R. Race last Saturday.
O.S.C.R. stand for 'Over Seeley's Creeks & Ridges'

The Start of the 25K Race in this year's O.S.C.R. Nordic Races

Above left, Pat Caffrey, in his Cheetah Herder costume, was the official starting, drawing many laughs. At center is chairman of the Seeley Ski Club, Lynn Carey, preparing for the 25K race. At right are Lorin Rose (left), and Rose Carey, official timers at this year's races.

At right, members of the Montana State University Nordic Team check out the trail map of the Seeley Lake Nordic Trail System. Nine racers and their coach, Peter Hoag, journed to Seeley Lake for this year's O.S.C.R. Nordic Races.

by Beth Hutchinson
for the Pathfinder
February 5, 1998


A majority came up from Missoula, but there were also large contingents from Bozeman, Butte and Kalispell as well as individuals from a scattering of other locations.

All seemed to anticipate a great day for this sixteenth consecutive nordic race, and race organizers and workers were rewarded by the infectious energy and enthusiasm flowing from the skiiers and the families and friends who accompanied them.
As usual, Seeley's extensive nordic trail system received accolades. One high school teacher from Superior called the trails "amazing" and was particularly impressed with the their length and the variety of scenery.

The biggest treat for the sponsoring Seeley Lake Nordic Ski Club was the arrival of nine racers and their coach Peter Hoag from Montana State University.

In addition to sweeping most of the top places in the women's 10K and making an impressive impact with their coordinated uniforms, these college students "circulated", talking easily and openly with workers and other racers.

MSU participates in the western division of the NCAA nordic racing program and competes with such schools as Colorado University, the University of Utah, Denver University, the University of Alaska, and the University of New Mexico.
It's not unusual over a weekend for a portion of the team to drive for seventeen or more hours one way to race for two days and then take that same long ride back to Bozeman.

Many of the young women who came to Seeley this week grew up in Alaska and talked about "an explosion of "community' skiing" up there."

Anchorage resident Beth Miller said, "Nordic skiing is a way of life for hundreds of kids on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Trails in Anchorage are lit, and all schools have teams."

Having gotten on the road at 5:15 am, the Lady Cat skiiers expressed delight with the hot chocolate awaiting them at the end of the race and went on with bubbling enthusiasm to pronounce, "It's a great race. The scenery is beautiful. It's nice and rolling rather than the extreme ups and downs we deal with around Bozeman. We've had an awesome time."

In addition to genuinely enjoying their experience interacting with these young women, SLNSC members found their own desires to promote youth skiing reinforced. Having discussed possible ways to get local kids out on the trails for years, the members will be meeting next week to develop a solid plan. (Anyone interested in participating in this planning or in donating used nordic equipment is invited to attend a meeting at the Filling Station Wednesday night, February 11th at 7pm or to contact Lynn Carey 677-2343.)

OSCR Cross Country
Ski Marathon, Seeley Lake, 1/31/98, Results

50K Women Overall
Jessie Opel 2:55:13
Monica Tranel 4:10:11
Pam Naugle 4:27:35

50K Women by Age
Age 30-39
Monica Tranel 4:10:11
Age 40-49
Jessie Opel 2:55:13
Pam Naugle 4:27:35
Age 50-59
Sally Daer 4:43:21

50K Men Overall
Mark Hollinger 2:22:04
Clarke Sullivan 2:27:54
John Yarrington 2:31:07

50K Men by Age
Age 20-29
Clarke Sullivan 2:27:54
Age 30-39
John Yarrington 2:31:07
Mark Franchi 2:41:11
Ross Miller 2:45:24
Don Beadle 3:00:43
Scott Creel 3:04:20
Dave Jones 3:33:23
Age 40-41
Mark Hollinger 2:22:04
Chad Castren 2:39:33
Gordon Opel 2:46:30
Randy Beckner 2:46:50
Fred Longhart 2:48:32
Matt Lavin 2:53:28
Tom Rowe 3:03:19
Steve Clark 3:12:09
Tom Daer 3:18:59
Steve Muller 3:19:53
Age 50-59
John Duffield 2:50:16
Glenn Govertson 3:23:35
Rene Fugelstad 3:26:18
Alden Wright 3:30:59
Tom Ulik 4:11:26
60 plus
Martin Weinstein 3:54:36
Bob Hayes 7:05

25K Women Overall
Patty Kent 1:30:50
Sherry Vogel 1:37:42
Kathleen Ort 1:39:53

25K Women by Age
Age 30-39
Patty Kent 1:30:50
Kathleen Ort 1:39:53
Karen Longhart 1:43:32
Jennifer Carey 2:04:45
Karen Lake 2:08:44
Age 40-49
Sherry Vogel 1:37:42
Age 50-59
Anne Trygstad 1:42:45
Frieda Johnson 1:48:05
Hedvig Wright 2:13:30
Anne Dahl 2:18:45

25K Men Overall
Jim Buckley 1:15:31
Brink Kuchenbrod 1:21:42
Jeff Brooks 1:32:12

25K Men by Age
Age 20-29
Josh Kendrick 1:23:11
Age 30-39
Brink Kuchenbrod 1:21:42
Jeff Brooks 1:22:12
Craig Druber 1:23:52
Ed VanAelstyn 1:26:04
Marco Fellin 1:42:17
Age 40-49
Jim Buckley 1:15:31
Joel Lankford 1:30:52
George Regan 1:42:49
Vince Meng 1:46:45
Donald Gisselbeck 1:52:00
Grainger Brown 2:14:43
Age 50-59
George Saari 1:39:52
Paul Smiley 1:30:16
Lynn Carey 1:39:52
John Wulf 1:46:13
60 plus
Norman Bishop 1:47:10

10K Women Overall
Sloane Pocius 30:35
Elise Hancock 30:54
Robyn Egloff 31:06

10K Women by Age
15-19
Sloane Pocius 30-35
20-29
Elise Hancock 30:54
Robyn Egloff 31:06
Cortney Gilbertson 31:54
Beth Miller 32:09
Jean Miller 32:40
Molly Haberman 34:19
Marne Lastufka 35:29
Karen Benben 36:05
Age 30-39
Colleen Marrinan 54:36
Age 40-49
Jo Garner 1:04
Sue Meng 2:20
Age 60 plus
Erika Weinstein 52:26

10K Men Overall
Chris Beason 30:13
John Hartpence 32:27
Andrew Michaelis 33:53

10K Men by Age
Age 5-10
Brooks Hollinger 53:09
Gharett Meng 1:08:45
Jace Meng 2:20
Age 11-14
Graham Meng 1:06:26
Age 20-29
John Hartpence 32:27
Andrew Michaelis 33:53
Anthony Sabia 36:36
Age 30-39
Chris Beason 30-13
Age 50-59
Steve German 1:09:40

Seeley Swan to Welcome