Elementary and high school students came together at Hiawatha Highlands this past Wednesday for the citywide Nordic Skiing Championships.
In the elementary meet, students competed in eight different races and divisions.
In addition to gold, silver, and bronze medals for each division, there was also an assortment of additional awards including "best technique," "happiest skier," "best costume," "best retro costume," and the "hiya" award, which was given to a skier in each division who gave it their all.
Elementary school championship results:
Grade 3/4 Girls
Gold: Gwendolyn Tchir
Silver: Evelyn Teresinski
Bronze: Maren MacLachlan
Grade 3/4 Boys
Gold: Nick Apostle-Anderson
Silver: Owen Euale
Bronze: Alexander Mudge
Grade 5/6 Girls
Gold: Aurora Aho
Silver: Edie MacLachlan
Bronze: Neve Purvis
Grade 5/6 Boys
Gold: James Elgie
Silver: Xiao Kang Cui
Bronze: Benjamin Campbell
Grade 7 Girls
Gold: Arabella MacLachlan
Silver: Jenna DeBeer
Bronze: Eden Bishop
Grade 7 Boys
Gold: Jasper Tchir
Silver: Zach Dunne
Bronze: Cash Lajoie
Grade 8 Boys
Gold: Oliver Benac
Silver: Ryan Elgie
Bronze: Felix Schamp
Grade 8 Girls
Gold: Myka Broad
Meanwhile, high school cross-country skiers competed for a spot in the Northern Ontario Championships (NOSSA) in North Bay this week, and the Ontario Championships (OFSAA) in Lakefield near Peterborough the week after.
48 athletes will be heading to North Bay for the NOSSA Nordic Skiing Championships on Feb. 16. Top finishers and top teams will advance to the Ontario Championships the following week.
In a written statement to SooToday, high school cross-country organizer Greg MacLachlan is incredibly appreciative of the support they’ve received since reviving the sport in the elementary and high schools this year.
“The organizers of the SSM elementary and high school Nordic Ski Championships would like to thank the Algoma District School Board and the Huron Superior Catholic District School Board for supporting these events,” he says.
“We would also like to thank the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club for their generous support of volunteers, as well as skis, boots, and poles for athletes to use for practice, races, and NOSSA.”
“If you see some of our athletes this week, wish them well at the Northern Ontario Championship races!”
An awards banquet was also held Wednesday evening to celebrate the season and the day's festivities.
High school individual and team results:
Jr. Girls Team Champions
1) Korah
2) White Pines
Jr. Girls Open
1) Kate DeBeer (Superior Heights)
2) Rhiannon Barbeau (Korah)
3) Taylor Nieson (St. Mary's)
Jr. Girls High School
1) Sadie Pedlar
2) Amelia Tanninen
3) Olivia Hiscock
Jr. Boys Team Champions
1) Superior Heights
2) White Pines
Jr. Boys Open
1) Simon Trombello (Korah)
2) Matteo Ivora (Superior Heights)
3) Kai Foster (Superior Heights)
Jr. Boys High School
1) Seth Bishop (Superior Heights)
2) Josh Lamming (St. Mary's)
3) Cam Ciotti (White Pines)
Senior Girls Team Champions
1) Superior Heights
2) White Pines
Sr. Girls Open
1) Anna Towle
2) Ahnika Davey
3) Helena Schoahs
Sr. Girls High School
1) Ava Meadows
2) Catrina Dugas
3) Malia Kirk
Senior Boys Team Champions
White Pines
Sr. Boys Open
1) Erik Kary
2) Trysten Kahtava
Sr. Boys High School
1) Kurtis Bondar
2) Alder Devries
3) Linden Devries
Overall Aggregate Cross Country City Champions 2023
1) White Pines
2) Superior Heights