A number of local athletes recently hit the Pembroke and Area Cross-Country Ski Club trails at Forest Lea for some nordic ski racing.
The 2022 Upper Ottawa Valley High School Athletics Association (UOVHSAA) Nordic Ski Championships for high school skiers and the Coureurs de Bois Invitational Nordic Ski Races for elementary school skiers took place on Wednesday, March 2nd.
The morning was reserved for the high school races with the junior girl’s race first on the schedule. The Grade 9 and 10 girls skied 4.5 km.
Wynn Chapman from Mackenzie Community School was the champion with a time of 17:31, followed by Mackenzie Epp of Valour in the silver medal position in 18:32.
In the 4.5 km junior boys race, it was Cameron Hopkins of Mackenzie Community School winning with a time of 14:52 followed by Yaro Yelisyeyev of Valour in second with a time of 15:02 and Joshua Morgan of Fellowes in third with a time of 15:37.
In the 6 km senior girl’s race for Grade 11 and 12 students, Skye Crouzat of Valour captured gold in a time of 21:21 only 15 seconds ahead of silver medalist Jamie Hopkins from Mackenzie, taking third place was Lydia Dillenbeck from Mackenzie in 22:22.
The final high school race was the 6 km senior boy’s race where Liam McDonald of MCS was the champion in 18:14, Daniel Epp of Valour in second with a time of 18:50 and in third was Blake Menard of MCS in 19:44.
In the afternoon races, elementary school skiers raced in the Coureurs de Bois Nordic Ski Invitational.
All races were on the 2.7 km race loop.
In the Grade 6 & 7 girl’s race, Isla Kittmer was the champion in a time of 10:28, Claire Noble was second in 11:18 and Molly McInnis was third in 11:49.
In the Grade 6 & 7 boy’s race, Silas McCabe was the gold medalist in 10:01, Duncan Gravel won silver in 10:25 and Gabe Schroeder won bronze in 10:26.
In the Grade 8 girl’s race, Keanna Lim was the champion in 10:04, Ava Mark came second in 10:22 and in third was Lola Jones with a time of 10:42.
In the Grade 8 boy’s race, Matthew Bourque won gold in 8:54, Tyson Davenport won silver in 8:57 and Everett Knockleby captured bronze in 10:19.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec with information submitted by Gary Serviss)
Skye Crouzat of Valour
Isla Kittmer
Liam McDonald of Mackenzie Community School
Jamie Hopkins from Mackenzie Community School
Matthew Bourque