Philomath High School senior Ana Candanoza will compete in the Oregon Alpine Ski Racing State Championships Thursday and Friday at Mt. Hood Meadows.
Candanoza qualified in both the slalom and giant slalom.
Competing this season with the Eugene High School Ski Team, Candanoza placed among the top six at four Emerald Ski League meets this winter. She had two third-place finishes in the slalom in a Jan. 25 event at Willamette Pass and later at a Feb. 12 event at Hoodoo Ski Area. In the giant slalom, Candanoza was fourth on Jan. 15 at Hoodoo and sixth on Feb. 1 at Willamette Pass.
Female state qualifiers will complete their runs at Mt. Hood Meadows on the Gemini course for Thursday’s slalom and the Shooting Star Ridge course for Friday’s giant slalom.
The state championships include Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing Association teams and individuals.
Candanoza finished 27th in the slalom and 29th in the giant slalom at last year’s state meet at Mt. Ashland Ski Area. As a sophomore at the 2024 championships at Mt. Hood Meadows, Candanoza finished 25th in the slalom.
The top 12 racers from both the boys and girls will qualify for the Western U.S. High School Championships, which are scheduled for March 15-18 at Loveland (Colorado) Ski Area. Competing at that event will be the top high school racers from California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon and Wyoming.