Staff
No matter in what place or at what time they crossed the finish line, the most important first of the day already belonged to the host contingent.
The Muskie Nordic ski team welcomed four other schools to the Rainy Lake Nordic Ski Club trails on Rocky Inlet yesterday for the program’s first-ever home meet in the sport.
The 12-person crew, led by co-coaches Rebecca Himanen and Ilka Milne, managed three top-five finishes going up against the Dryden Eagles, Kenora Broncos, St. Thomas Aquinas Saints, and Atikokan Voyageurs.
Emma Toriseva was tops among the locals—completing the 2.8-km course in a time of 21:36 to finish in third place in the 14-person Grade 7/8 division.
Teammate Jaida Norris was close behind in fourth (23:24).
Shayna Hensrud of the Broncos (16:37) and Darbie Mattson of Atikokan (18:49) were 1-2.
Other Muskie finishers in that division included Haleigh DeGagne (29:13), Aara Kabatay (29:34), Kenzie Begin (30:23), Rhyan McLean (33:53), Mia-Lee Wilson (43:25), and Hannah Anderson (44:01).
Toriseva’s older sibling, Tori, also had a strong day as she came fourth out of seven starters in the junior girls’ group with a clocking of 23:51 on the 2.8-km circuit.
Elize Hummelbrunner of the Saints was the winner (13:20).
As for the senior girls, Muskie Sara Selman finished sixth out of seven skiers taking on the 3.9-km course with a time of 40:20.
Teammate Tayla Trimble was seventh (59:05).
Claire Poulin of the Voyageurs led the way (22:42).
The only male Muskie competing yesterday was Caleb Dueck, who took ninth spot out of 10 starters in the senior boys’ division, clocking a time of 47:37 over the 5.6-km course.
Eric Williams of Atikokan (29:18) topped the field as the Voyageurs wound up with five titles out of the seven events.
With two exhibition meets under their belts, the Muskies now are preparing for the NorWOSSA finals Feb. 1 in Kenora.
