MN Skiing Hub

Anders Evenson has won seven of eight Northwest Suburban Conference races this season, including first-place finishes in both the Classic and Freestyle races at the conference championship meet last week. But his most admirable race might be the one he didn't win.

It was a Thursday meet on Jan. 19 and Evenson was anticipating some important Junior Olympic races that weekend. An Osseo teammate had been struggling a bit, and Evenson decided that helping a teammate was more important than another victory.

"I wanted him to get his best time, so I helped pull him along," Evenson said. "I was kind a rabbit in that race for him."

Evenson started the race 20 seconds behind his teammate, but caught up quickly and stayed with him for the entire race.

Race conditions were poor, so the teammate didn't achieve a personal best. But he turned in one of his best times of the year and became a better skier to boot.

Said Evenson, "I think he learned how to push himself."

Which is exactly what Evenson has done all year. An admitted loner when racing -- "I like to listen to music and work on my form," he said -- Evenson said he has been somewhat surprised at the results he has gotten so far.

"I did not think I would be skiing this fast," he said. "I'm just really happy at how the season has gone."