Gall and Nelson Win Snowshoe Championships

Published March 13, 2009 04:54PM

Scott Gall and Keri Nelson were awarded first place honors Sunday in the competitive 10K division at the Jeremy Wright North American Championships in Beaver Creek, Colo. Taking place at Beaver Creek’s McCoy Park, an elevation of nearly 10,000 ft., the Championship snowshoe race was the third event in the four-event Beaver Creek Snowshoe Adventure Series. 10K participants vied for the title of North American Snowshoe Champion, while all participants paid tribute to Vail’s Jeremy Wright, an avid snowshoer and local competitor who died in 2005 in Afghanistan while serving the United States Army.

Team Atlas’ Scott Gall claimed the competitive 10K title, clocking in a winning time of 47:00, in front of second place finisher Atlas’ Travis Macy at 47:22 and third place finisher Seth Wealing at 48:05.

In the Women’s 10K division, Team Atlas’ Keri Nelson claimed first place with a winning time of 54:41, ahead of Atlas’ Sarah Tarkington at 57:39 and Beaver Creek’s Anita Ortiz with a third place time of 58:38.

“The Jeremy Wright race is an awesome part of the snowshoe series because it’s a tribute to a great Colorado athlete,” said Keri Nelson, third time 10K champion in this year’s Beaver Creek Snowshoe Adventure Series and Gunnison resident. “Beaver Creek puts on the best snowshoe series out there and I love competing in it each year.”

In the Men’s East West 5K Quest Brian Welch nabbed top honors with a winning time of 34:41, as Trevor Theelke claimed second place at 37:43 and in a close third was Clayton Chase with a time of 37:47.

The Women’s East West 5K Quest saw Beaver Creek’s Lynda Andros-Clay clock in a winning time of 37:03, as Beaver Creek’s Melinda Brandt was honored with a second place finish at 39:00, followed by Marian Cartin with a finishing time of 41:17.

“The Jeremy Wright North American Championships brings awareness for the people fighting for us overseas every day,” said Lynda Andros-Clay. “The race was breathtaking and Beaver Creek’s McCoy Park has such gorgeous mountain views. It was really special.”

Other races included the 100-yard “Dash for Cash” and the Kids’ K trot. Brian Welch and Alicia Pribransky were “Dash for Cash” champions and received $100 checks at the post-race ceremony. In the Kids’ K division, Adiar Patillo was awarded first place, followed by Taylor Patillo in second and Kate Dekainich in third place.

Held at the scenic McCoy Park, the Jeremy Wright North American Championships was the third event in the four-event series that and concludes Sunday, April 5 with the Snowshoe Shuffle that benefits Vail-based Shaw Regional Cancer Center. Registration for these events is $25 and available online at

The Beaver Creek Snowshoe Adventure Series is presented by the Beaver Creek Resort Company, SoBe Life Water, Volvo, Continental Airlines and Subway, and is brought to you in part by Atlas Snow-Shoe Company, Nature Valley Granola Bars, East West Resorts, Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate, Vail Daily, Vail – Beaver Creek Magazine, KZYR The Zephyr and TV8 the Official TV Station of Vail and Beaver Creek Resorts.