Head coach Falk Alicke and Kayley Alicke stand together in Laramie during the state ski races. Alicke became the first athlete to win a state title for the Nordic ski program.

Courtesy Photo | Falk Alicke

SHERIDAN — In the mountains of Laramie leading by more than a minute against her closest competitor during the state Nordic ski races Saturday, the realization set in for Sheridan High School’s Kayley Alicke that she was going to become the program’s first state champion.

Alicke placed first in the 10K race to become Sheridan’s first state winner in a program only three years old.

To ensure she was set up for success in the state race, Alicke traveled to Laramie the Wednesday before the races to have an extra night of sleep to adjust to 7,200 feet of elevation, she said.

The elevation still affected Alicke in the first 5K race Friday and resulted in hard breathing and chest pain, she said. She was still able to finish fourth, better than a ninth-place finish last year. But Alicke had a goal of making the podium.

Concerned about the 10K race Saturday, Alicke said she tried to be more calm and less nervous. She felt the 10K race was going to be her strongest race heading into the weekend.

The morning before the race, head coach Falk Alicke skied the course and told Kayley Alicke the warm weather made the downhills faster, she said.

“It was a mass start (Saturday); I was right behind the top two girls as we went up the first two hills,” Alicke said, recounting the race. “I eventually passed them… My endurance came into play (on the uphill) and I was able to make a gap, because by the time I got to the downhill, I already had a gap.”

Alicke built more than a minute lead in the race and required Alicke to stay focused on potential athletes catching up throughout the race, she said.

“I didn’t know how far behind she was, because I was trying not to look back because I risk falling, and if I fall I lose time,” Alicke said. “I just tried to keep pulling down on the downhills, but also take the downhills more conservative so I didn’t risk falling. I tried to remember that she could be right behind me and I wouldn’t know.”

Alicke had a moment to think about the win before she crossed the finish line.

(I was) thinking how cool it was. Skiing in Sheridan wasn’t a thing, and over the last three years it was slowly built up,” Alicke said. “My dad is the coach and now I am the first state champion, it is cool that we are building something in Sheridan.”

Alicke became interested in the sport because of the knowledge he had and asked to tag along on a trip to the mountains when Alicke was in eighth grade, she said. Ever since, the two have worked together to improve.

“It is hard because he puts a lot of effort and time into me and all of the skiers. On the weekends, he will drive me up to the mountains and ski; he also does my skis by waxing them,” Alicke said. “I am super appreciative, but at the same time I want to do my best, and he is always there watching… It is fun to do those things with him. I wouldn’t know so many things if he wasn’t my dad. I wouldn’t be the skier I am; he encourages me to be my best.“

As a junior, Alicke has another year left to ski for the Lady Broncs. Seeing what the hard work and training has done for her this year, will be a confidence booster into next season, she said.

“Training a lot and getting ready and having the success that I have had gives me encouragement,” Alicke said. “Next year if I keep doing good I have even more potential and maybe I can get scholarships for college.”

Greeted by school work she missed through her time away, Alicke believes all the sacrifices and hard work for the sport is worth it, she said.

“It was a lot of work and a lot of hours during and after practice… It was worth it because of how much I love the people that I am doing it with and how much I love skiing and the sport,” Alicke said.

Brendan Saunders started as the sports editor for The Sheridan Press in December 2023. Reach Brendan at brendan.saunders@thesheridanpress.com or 307-675-9977.