Sault Ste. Marie area high school students took to the trails at Hiawatha Highlands this week for cross country ski races. It was a beautiful, snowy day of competition, with camaraderie and a tasty barbecue to cap it all off.
The third annual city meet hosted over 50 skiers from area secondary schools, a news release said.
All races were in the freestyle (skate ski) technique, with distances ranging from 2.5 km to 7.5 km. Students competed in one of two categories, with 'open' for club skiers and 'high school' for non-club skiers. There were also categories for exhibition races (open to new skiers just trying out the sport) and paranordic.
The aggregate team results (based on points calculated from all categories) put Korah Collegiate in the first place position, followed by Superior Heights, White Pines, and St. Mary's.
See below for a full listing of results and media release.
Congratulations go out to all students who participated. Cross country skiing is a sport for life, offering an accessible and fun way to stay active through the winter months. New students are always welcome!
Competitions will continue next week when Sault Ste. Marie hosts the Northern Ontario Secondary School Athletics (NOSSA) competition. The last time NOSSA races were held in our city was over 30 years ago. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of leaders Greg MacLachlan, Shane Dunne, Kevin Magill, and Cam Wilson, upwards of 150 skiers are expected to attend from across Northern Ontario.
A very big thank you goes out to local businesses who sponsored these events: National Grocer Wholesale Club, Metro Northern Avenue, Metro Churchill Plaza, and Metro Second Line. These stores donated food and supplies needed for the hot dog lunch at the city-wide meet, and the chili lunch that will be held at the NOSSA meet next week.
The race organizers also wish to thank staff and volunteers at Hiawatha Highlands, Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club, and Algoma Bicycle Company.
Top Finishers
Exhibition
Girls
- Hanna Magli
- Emilia Guierrez
Boys
- Gus Morin-Strom
- Tucker Lidstone
Para Nordic
Junior Girls
- Melina Bernardo (won OFSAA last year)
JUNIOR BOYS
High School
- Cole Teresinski (Korah)
- Ben Davey (Korah)
- Eli Clowater (Superior Heights)
Open
- Jasper Tchir (Korah)
- Ryan Elgie (Korah)
- Sam Phaneuf (Superior Heights)
JUNIOR GIRLS
High School
- Arabella MacLachlan (Korah)
- Maddie Couleman (Korah)
- Elena Nelson (Korah)
Open
- Jenna de Beer (Superior Heights)
- Myka Broad (Superior Heights)
Team Results
- Superior Heights
- Korah
SENIOR BOYS
High School
- Josh Lamming (St. Mary's)
- Graham Kirk (White Pines)
- Dom Albury (White Pines)
Open
- Simon Trombello (Korah)
- Mateo Ivorra (Superior Heights)
Team Results
- White Pines
SENIOR GIRLS
High School
- Aili Luomaranta (Korah)
- Sydney Kitchen (Korah)
- Sadie Pedlar (Korah)
Open
- Kate de Beer (Superior Heights)
- Taylor Nieson (Superior Heights)
- Rhiannon Barbeau (Korah)
Team Results
- Korah
TEAM RELAYS
Junior Boys Relays
- Korah
- Superior Heights
Junior Girls Relays
- Superior Heights
- Korah
Senior Girls Relays
- Korah
Senior Boys Relays
- White Pines