Skiing

Spangler opts for long route and doubles up on cross-country skiing titles

Allan Spangler was one of a select group of cross-country skiers to choose back-to-back 30-kilometer races last weekend at Government Peak Rec Area at the base of Hatcher Pass, where he won races on Saturday and Sunday.

Skiers were given the choice of 5, 10, 20 and 30-kilomoter races both days in the Mat-Su Ski Club event, with Saturday's races requiring classic technique and Sunday's race being a freestyle event.

Spangler finished Saturday's 30-K classic in 1 hour, 33 minutes, 34.9 seconds to beat Abe Meyerhofer (1:38:29.2) by nearly five minutes. He clocked 1:19:32.8 in Sunday's freestyle, more than five minutes ahead of Leif Johnson (1:25:07.4).

Jordyn Block, who skis for Colony High, was the only female to ski a 30-K both days. She posted 2:09:15.3 to finish second in the classic race behind Kathleen Rehm (2:06:27.3), and won the freestyle in 1:54:12.9, just ahead of Melavee Stiassny (1:54.41.0).

Anchorage

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