RHINELANDER – The CAVOC trails in Rhinelander hosted a two-day, pursuit-style Nordic competition in warm conditions Jan. 5-6, attracting 360 junior skiers from Wisconsin and Michigan.
While Ashwaubenon showed well, the breakout performance was by Mason Vinoski, Ashwaubenon sophomore, who finished 14th JV skier after the first skate leg and took the podium as 5th overall JV male skier for the second race.
His combined pursuit placing was 10th.
Vinoski suffered an injury last year at Rhinelander, which sidelined most of his racing last season.
He trained hard since summer setting him up for this comeback.
The Ashwaubenon Varsity Boys Team dominated, championing with exemplary performances.
Jackson Adler (Green Bay East) took first on both days; Ryan Thieme (Bay Port) finished 4th on Saturday, 2nd on Sunday for a 3rd overall in the pursuit.
Daniel Huhtala (Ashwaubenon) and Kevin Johnson (Ashwaubenon) were consistent at 9th and 16th places on both days.
Alex Lukens (Ashwaubenon) finished 18th overall in the Varsity pursuit, after performing strongly in the Hodag JV race last season.
In addition to Vinoski, JV boys included Sam Calaway (Ashwaubenon) and freshman Nick Swanson (Wrightstown).
Calaway skied to 8th and Swanson placed 36th in the pursuit.
Eighth grader Joe Stumpf (Pulaski Middle School) stood on the fourth step of the Grade 7/8 podium on both days.