UVM Carnival

The Saint Mikes Nordic team was back in action this past weekend at the UVM Winter Carnival in Stowe, Vt. The proximity of the venue to school offered a reprieve from long travel for the weekend, as well as multiple opportunities to stop at the Cabot Cheese Annex on the way home. The team welcomed warmer temperatures, hitting the starting line substantially more comfortable than the weekend before.

The men kicked off the weekend with a 10 km skate race on Friday. Sophomore Torin La Liberte led the men’s team in 64^th, followed by senior Isaiah St.Pierre in 76^th. Rounding out the scorers for the men’s team was sophomore Cody Putnam, who continued what promises to be a strong season in 86^th.

Sophomore Cody Putnam fights to the finish in the men's 10 km skate. (Silke Hynes/EISA)

In the women’s 5 km skate it was senior Chloe Boutelle who led the women’s team in 66^th place. Freshman Emma Barnes continued her strong rookie season with a 73^rd place finish, taking second for the SMC women, ahead of junior Elizabeth Cubberley in 81^st. Overall the men and women put in strong skate performances, with improvements across the board over the previous weekends skate race.

Freshman Emma Barnes heads out on course in the women's 5 km skate. (Silke Hynes/EISA)

Day two brought with it mass start classic races, and waxing stress for the coaches. There were nervous coaches to be found in the wax areas of every team, as they waited to see if the temperatures would rise as forecast. The gun went off for the men’s 15km classic mass start with coaches still on the edge of their seats. With signs of successful waxing all around, they breathed a sigh of relief.

Once again it was sophomore Torin La Liberte that led the knights into the finish with a 60^th place. He was followed by seniors Isaiah St.Pierre and Sam Hammond, in 79^th and 82^nd respectively.

Senior Isaiah St.Pierre cruises up a hill in the men's 15 km classic mass start. (Silke Hynes/EISA)

On the women’s side it was Chloe Boutelle who led the team home with a 59^th place finish in the 10km classic mass start. She finished a mere 10 seconds ahead of junior Elizabeth Cubberley who finished 2 places back in 61^st. Rounding out the women’s top three was freshman Emma Barnes in 72^nd place.

Sophomore Hallie Bergwall races to the finish in the women's 10 km classic mass start. (Silke Hynes/EISA)

The Saint Mikes nordic team is back in action this weekend at the Saint Michael’s College winter carnival at Sleepy Hollow, in Huntington, VT. If you are in the area please come cheer on the Knights as they race on their home course for the first time in 5 years! 

.skh