By Jon Gulliver
Staff writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The last leg of the Aroostook League Ski Championships was held at the Nordic Heritage Center on Tuesday, Feb. 14 and the Vikings wrapped up another league title heading into this week’s Class B Championships being held in Presque Isle.
Photo courtesy jMavor Photography
Alex Murchison of Caribou High School takes to the snow for a rest following his 5k freestyle race at the Nordic Heritage Center last week in the final leg of the Aroostook League Ski Championships.
In the girls’ 5k freestyle race, Ashley Richards of Caribou was first to cross the finish line in a time of 17:16.
Other local skiers in the top 15 were: 2, Sarah Doak, CAR, 17:22; 3, Hannah Streinz, ASH, 18:00; 5, Chelsea Bard, CAR, 18:36; 6, Lydia Streinz, ASH, 18:39; 7, Mackenzie Belyea, CAR, 18:39; 9, Katie Plourde, CAR, 19:08; 10, Kendra Stephens, CAR, 19:29; 12, Samantha Murchison, CAR, 19:47; 13, Meredith Sleeper, CAR, 19:49; 14, Ginger Kieffer, 20:32; and 15, Olivia Sleeper, CAR, 20:35.
In the boys’ race, the Vikings’ Caleb Chapman (14:09) won the race by more than a minute over his teammate Ryan Washington (15:11).
Other local skiers in the top 15 were: 3, Jon Rochester, PI, 15:39; 4, Jesse Sandstrom, CAR, 15:45; 10, Jesse Rochester, PI, 17:14; 13, Michael Marquis, CAR, 17:42; and 14, Josh Kovach, CAR, 17:54.
Caribou coach PJ Gorneault said his team is feeling good right now heading into States, especially on the girls’ side.
“We are six skiers strong in both events (freestyle and classical) for the girls and healthy, which is important in a state competition,” he said. “The boys know it’s going to be tough to defeat a talented Yarmouth team and they have had a few setbacks with illness and injuries these past couple of weeks. But they understand that anything is possible and if everything clicks just right we could surprise some teams around the state.”
