Junior Nationals 2025

Keira and Catcher spent the first week of their Spring Break at Junior Nationals in Utah.  The Soldier Hollow courses are notoriously difficult, and they're even tougher when you just flew in from sea level a couple days ago, so this was no small undertaking.  Catcher caught a cold right away, sadly, but still managed a respectable 34th in the 7.5k classic before bowing out for the remaining races.  Keira got off to a good start by finishing 7th in the classic.  In the skate sprint, she qualified in 9th - using smart tactics and smooth technique, she cruised to wins in her first two rounds before finishing a hard-fought 2nd in the final.  But - she was the first American finisher, which made her the U20 national champion!!!!!  Despite carrying some fatigue from an extra long sprint day, she was able to rally for 8th in the 15k mass start skate on soft and sloppy snow.  She closed out her week by helping the Far West relay team to a respectable 11th place finish.  Keira heads home from JNs as a three-time All-American and a national champion - not a bad way to start Spring Break.  Congratulations to Keira and Catcher both on a fine end to a great season!