March 22 (Bend, OR)- Cole McClellan represented SSRA and the Pacific Northwest Ski Association (PNSA) at the Western Region U16 Champsionships at Mt. Bachelor, March 22. The four-race event brought together the best who qualified from the five Western Divisions (PNSA, Far West-CA/NV/HI, Intermountain-ID/UT/WY/NV, Northern-MT/WY, and Alaska-AK). 

McClellan led the athletes representing Inland Northwest teams in all three races and was consistently fast. In the Super G race, McClellan posted a strong 30th (10th for PNSA athletes) place stopping the clock in 1:09.70. The race was won by PNSA's Walter Lafky (MBSEF) in 1:07.22. Cole took 34th in the giant slalom (6th for PNSA) recording a time of 2:21.46. Winston Pretti from the FarWest Division won the race in 2:11.11. McClellan again led the Inland Northwest with his stongest performance of the championships popping a 21st place in slalom (5th for PNSA) stopping the watch in 1:39.59. Cole started the day with the 16th-fastest first run time. Minam Cravens (PNSA-MBSEF) won the race in 1:35.65. Coach Burandt remarked, "I was proud of how Cole represented SSRA!".

PNSA had a very successful championships overall, illuminating the fact that the division is a regional strength. "Once again, PNSA showed that they can compete head to head with IMD and Far West... I know that the kids had the time of their lives, both on and off the hiill," stated SSRA and PNSA U16 Men's Head Coach, Mark Burandt. PNSA took 9 of 30 top ten finishes and 2 of 3 wins in the event.

Full Results:     Super G      Giant Slalom      Slalom

YouTube Video Produced by Mark Burandt

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