Souhegan Skier Heads To Championship

The Souhegan Nordic Ski Team had a great race on Saturday and will have its captain representing the team for its next challenge.

A total of 28 Nordic ski teams faced off at the White Mountain Regional High School in Whitefield on Saturday for the second Coach’s Series race this season. The race featured a 5K course using the Skate technique. 

Captain Jason Bender represented Souhegan in the Boys A class, capturing 32nd place (13:11). His combined performance in Classic and Skate races earned him a spot on the Eastern team, named 17th out of the top 24 competitors, and he will now represent New Hampshire in the Eastern High School Championships held later this season. 

The top 24 skiers with the best combined race results in the Coach’s Series (Classic 5K and Skate 5K) earn a spot in the championship.

Girls A racers were led by Pia Marciano with a 38th place finish (15:38), followed by freshman Hannah Culver finishing in 43rd place (15:53). Rachel Springmann came in next, placing 60th (16:24) followed by Katherine Benoit at 85th (17:18) and Captain Christina Clemence at 90th (17:29). Also racing well for the Sabers were Abigail Anson at 100th (17:48), Jamie Wallisch at 106th (18:08) and Jordan Springmann at 126th (19:01).

Sam Saunders was the first Souhegan skier in the Boys B race, placing 9th (15:49), followed close behind by Jack Lowell placing 15th (16:36) and Peter Emerson at 27th (17:24).

Lauren Ostrowski led the Girls B race finishing 6th (18:24) followed by Lyndsey Hagen at 14th (18:56). Also racing well for Souhegan girls were Carly Seguin at 30th (20:08) and Johanna Griffin at 53rd (22:11).

This race is the second largest High School Nordic Ski Race in the country, with 735 racers registered this year.