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Elliott Boman repeats, sort of, as boys' Alpine ski winner

By Jim Paulsen, Star Tribune, 02/15/17, 5:28PM CST

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Competing for a Northfield co-op program, the 2015 state champion came back to win again after taking off last year


Elliott Boman of Northfield skis his second run Wednesday. (ANTHONY SOUFFLE - anthony.souffle@startribune.com)

Officially, Elliott Boman skis for Northfield. He’s a senior at Cannon Falls High School, but competes under the Northfield banner as part of a cooperative between the schools.

Boman, a senior, won his second Alpine state championship in three years, conquering Giants Ridge’s twin slalom courses, Helskini and Innsbruck, in a combined time of 1:14.53.

“I’m bringing the small town to a big place,” Boman smiled.

Boman won the 2015 championship, then took a year off from high school skiing to train under the Federation Internationale de Ski banner.

“I had to make a decision. I wanted to see if FIS would overtake high school,” Boman said.

He still skis on the international circuit but was able to squeeze in high school skiing thanks to the efforts of Northfield coach Johnny Ostberg.

“He made it super easy,” Boman said. “I only had to show up for three meets and then qualify for sections. I didn’t have to go to any practices because he knew I was getting the time in and practice needed with other coaches on the FIS level.”

While he’s traveled the world and skied at a top level, Boman said winning the high school state championship held special meaning.

“It ranks pretty high,” Boman said. “It’s a pretty big accomplishment.”

He credited his FIS training for his victory Wednesday.

“It’s crazy to be able to go to Austria and ski,” he said. “And then you come here and say ‘Dang, that really helped.’ ”

He won’t get much time to enjoy his victory, however. Boman is off to Colorado on Thursday to ski in another FIS competition.

“I get the car ride home and then maybe a little time at school, and then I’m gone,” he said.

Chisago Lakes senior Anders Brown finished second (1:14:61) in what was the last competitive race of his career. Brown, a stellar baseball player, said his ski racing days are over.

“That’s it for me,” he said. “I’m pretty happy. I nailed a solid second. I had a good day.”

Minnetonka took the boys’ team championship, outpointing runner-up Edina 166-151. There was a three-way tie for third between Cook County, Stillwater and Breck, each with 141 points.

Minnetonka’s top finisher was senior Sergi Piguillem, who finished seventh in a time of 1:17.98.

Jim Paulsen • 612-673-7737

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