By Cathy Putman
For the Press Times
IOLA – Interscholastic Nordic racing, delayed in Wisconsin because of low snow conditions, kicked off with a two days of mass start competition at Iola Winter Park trails. On Saturday, Jan. 20, almost 300 lined up in chilly temperatures to skate the hilly, old school course. Sunday repeated using classic technique and, for the leaders, a bit better mass start position.
Ashwaubenon Nordic varsity had three skiers emerging in the top ten.
It was a breakout weekend for senior Paige Beining (Notre Dame), who improved more than two minutes over last year’s race time to podium in the fourth spot for skate and place sixth in classic.
Freshman Ella Swanson (Wrightstown) finished 22nd both days in the middle of the pack.
On the varsity boys side, senior Owen Wick (Ashwaubenon) podiumed both days. He was two seconds out of first, finishing in third in the skate and fourth on the classic day. Teammate Ben Buchmann (Ashwaubenon) was seventh in both races.
Freshman Jacob Shobe (Ashwaubenon) rounded out the boys scoring team with a 30th and 35th in the races.
Also skiing for Ashwaubenon varsity were Charlie Van Gheem, Sean Johnson, Erik Johnson, Ben Kelleher and Keegan Herzog.
Ashwaubenon Nordic, a co-curricular activity in the Ashwaubenon District open to any high school or middle school student, just celebrated 25 years of skiing excellence.
For more information contact Cathy Putman at [email protected].