Brainerd boys' skiers finish first in opener

BIWABIK -- The Brainerd boys' alpine ski team won the season-opening Virginia Invitational at Giants Ridge on Thursday, scoring 142 team points while the Warriors' girls' team placed third with 99.

Leading the way for the Warrior boys was Eric Zard who finished third with a combined time of 1:13.12. Scott Moen and Nat Beebe finished in fifth and sixth place for Brainerd.

The girls' team was led by Morgan Klang, who finished sixth with a combined time of 1:24.11.

"Nobody's been on skis yet this year," said Warriors coach Jim Ruttger. "It was a good start to the season."

Boys team scores -- 1-Brainerd 142, 2-Virginia 133, 3-Hibbing 119, 4-Mesabi East 103, 5-Grand Rapids 73

Individual winner -- David Priest (V) 1:07.60

Brainerd results -- 3-Eric Zard 1:13.12, 5-Scott Moen 1:13.30, 6-Nat Beebe 1:14.46, 8-Tyler Rudek 1:16.41, 10-Mark Femling 1:17.60, 14-Jason Cave 1:20.81, 20-Brandon Asker 1:23.24, 27-Andrew Christensen 1:27.62

Girls team scores --1-Virginia 142, 2-Hibbing 121, 3-Brainerd 99, 4-Grand Rapids 89, 5-Mesabi East 81

Individual winner -- Catherine Malovrh (V) 1:15.91

Brainerd results --6-Morgan Klang 1:24.11, 14-Jenna Bergin 1:28.87, 16-Andrea Koob 1:33.55, 17-Stacie Verkennes 1:35.67, 18-Steph Burton 1:38.15, 20-Tiffany Klang 1:39.08, 28-Monica Nelson 1:46.57, 32-Laura Zard 1:56.08

Next meet -- Brainerd at Mesabi East invitational at Giants Ridge Dec. 20.