Nordic Skier Off To Meet Of Champions

The Souhegan Nordic Ski Team's girls  had a strong finish at last week's state meet and will have their captain move on to the next level of competition.

Captain Jason Bender finished 4th and 5th place at the state competition last Wednesday against nine nordic ski teams from Division II High Schools. He will move on to the Meet of Champions being held at Gunstock on Saturday, Feb. 25.

The Souhegan girls raced well placing 3rd in the field behind Hanover and Lebanon. 

The Classic 5K race for the Souhegan boys took place first in the morning, where Bender skied a strong race finishing 5th with a time of (16:49.8). Sam Saunders was second for the Sabers placing 37th (21:08) followed by Jack Lowell 41st (21:55) and Peter Emerson 43rd (22:05).

Senior Rachel Springmann led the Saber Girls in the Classic 5K placing 12th with a time (20:37) with Pia Marciano 15th (21:08) close behind. Jamie Wallisch placed 20th with a fine finish (21:45) followed by Katherine Benoit 21st (21:54). Abigail Anson  placed 29th (23:40) and Captain Christina Clemence placing 40th (26:52).

The afternoon races were a Skate 5K with some skiers racing both events. Bender again was the first Souhegan skier to cross the finish line with an impressive 4th place with a time (14:25). Sam Saunders raced to a 27th place finish (16:43) followed by Jack Lowell 39th (17:36). Also racing well was Peter Emerson with a time of (18:26).

Freshman standout Hannah Culver was the first Souhegan Girl to finish the Skate race with a strong 11th place finish (17:08). Pia Marciano was close behind placing 13th (17:34) and Rachel Springmann following to place 16th (17:52). Abigail Anson was the next saber Girl to finish with a time of (19:23) 26th place followed by Christina Clemence 28th (19:42) and Katherine Benoit 33rd (19:54).

The competition at Great Glen included teams from Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Conval, Hanover, Kennett, Kingswood, Lebanon and Plymouth.