Local skiers compete in Sassi Memorial
High school cross-country skiers from all over Maine descended upon Rumford’s Black Mountain of Maine Jan. 30 to compete in the annual John Sassi Memorial Ski Race.
The event, which is the only opportunity for teams from class A, B, and C schools to compete against each other, attracted more than 500 racers, including representatives from five communities in Aroostook County. The race also served as the Maine J2 Team qualifier, which is composed of the 20 fastest boys and girls aged 14 and 15. These skiers will represent Maine later in the season at the New England J2 Championships in Jackson, N.H.
The format of the Sassi was a 5K freestyle race with individual racers starting every 15 seconds. Although the race is usually contested in the classical discipline, a lack of snow made it impossible to set classic tracks on the course, and race organizers decided to change disciplines.
On the girls’ side, the top Aroostook County finisher was Victoria Bernard (Fort Kent) in 7th place. She was followed by Danni Anderson (MWSC) in 10th. Ashley Richards, Katie Plourde, and Emily Soderberg (all from Caribou) took 22nd, 23rd, and 33rd respectively, and also qualified for the Maine J2 Team in the 8th, 9th, and 14th positions. Melissa McKenney (Fort Fairfield) placed 63rd overall and 30th J2.
For the boys, DJ Flynn (Caribou) took the honors as the top finisher from Aroostook County in 12th place. He was followed by Jesse Rochester (MWSC) in 14th, Caleb Chapman (Caribou) in 15th and Finn Bondeson (Caribou) in 22nd. In the male J2 standings, Jesse Rochester finished 2nd, Austin Bragdon (Madawaska) was 12th, Jesse Sandstrom (Caribou) was 14th, and Jon Rochester (Presque Isle) was 18th. Joel Shay (Presque Isle) qualified as the third alternate for the Maine J2 Team in 23rd.
