Zean Baker, Nisswa, skiing for Nisswa NW Biathlon, finished second overall and second in the youth men’s 8.25km mass start race at Elk River on Sunday.
With the fastest ski times in the race, Baker struggled in the range, shooting 3,4,1,3 to finish in 32:45, but edged Jakob Ellingson of the Twin Cites Club, who shot 4,1,1,3 and finished in 33:02.
The winner was Nick Proell, St. Cloud, shooting 2,3,1,1 in 31:20.
Fourth was Ty Hadrits, Brainerd, NNW, shooting 1,0,3,5 finishing in 34:22 and taking fifth overall. Hadrits’ five penalty loops took him out of the top three.
In the women’s 8.25km event, Jenna Ruzich, Baxter, NNW, shot 4,1,2,1 and finished second in the youth class in 42:17.
Evan Ingebrigtson, Baxter, NNW, was second in the senior men’s class, and seventh overall, shooting 4, 3, 1, 2 in a time of 46:08.
Next event is at Mt. Itasca on Sunday followed by a novice event. On March 13 the team leaves for West Yellowstone where the U.S. Nationals will be March 14-18.
