Orono Nordic Skier Takes Bronze at State Meet

Orono High School senior Katherine Kearney skied flawlessly at last week's Minnesota High School State Alpine Ski Championships at Giant’s Ridge in Biwabik, MN.

Kearney earned 3rd place among the field of almost 100 of the best racers in the state. She came from 5th place after the first run to put in a lightning-fast second run to move up to the coveted podium position.

Kearney has participated in the state meet for the last three years, coming in 38th, 20th and 18th.

“My goal was to ski my very best and become a champion today, and I’m so happy and grateful to have accomplished that goal in my senior year,” Kearney said.

It’s a pressure cooker of a race, where everyone wants to perform their best, and Katherine kept a great focus and perspective throughout the day. She also was skiing in honor of her long time coach, John McAlpin, who is recovering from a brain tumor and recent surgery. 

Three seems to be the lucky number for Katherine, as she was 3rd in the section meet to qualify for state, (won by teammate, Rosie Hust) and she also won three conference races this season. 

New head coach, Jay Weinand, also had three individual racers, in addition to Katherine, qualify for the State meet: Woody Hust, Bradford Morrison and seventh-grader Rosie Hust. 

Both Orono Women’s and Men’s teams nearly missed qualifying for State as a team. 

"We have a very strong, young team," coach Weinand said. "So we’ll be back at State next year."