It’s a saying around West Linn High School that has become familiar the last few years around this time of year, and that is “West Linn’s ski team has won state again.” With the target on their back ever since 2011 when the run began, the Lions have continued to silence any naysayers who say their wins were just a fluke. One state championship is a feat worthy of recognition, but five in a row no doubt leaves a mark in history and commands respect from other competitors.

“Trying to do it is stressful I will say,” Grant McDonald, senior, said. “Everyone knows who we are by now and some years we barely won.”

All the preparation and all the hard work came down to two races, the giant slalom and slalom. West Linn had combined times of 4:35.03 in the GS (first overall) and 3:57.88 (second behind Hood River) for a total time of 8:32.91 which best second place Hood River by 4.57 seconds. The Lions’ highest individual finisher was Trevor Maxwell, senior, who had a combined total of 2:42.48, just 1.32 seconds behind first place. The next four West Linn finishers were:

• 6th: Connor Splitstoser, sophomore, combined time of 2:52.47
• 11th: Chris McNabb, junior, combined time of 2:58.23
• 12th: Dylan Tuor, junior, combined time of 2:58.83
• 13th: Grant McDonald, senior, combined time of 2:58.83

Despite going out on top for the last time as a senior, McDonald found it to be bittersweet.

“It was really sad but exciting,” he said. “I was thinking about all the years on the team and it was cool to make it all the way through.”

West Linn will compete for a sixth state championship in a row come next winter, but for now they can bask in the glory of going out on top for yet another season.