Cook County News Herald

Cross-country ski team competes at Korkki





Photo by Kelly Rauzi Cross-country volunteer Burt Carlsted-Gillis and Coach Mark Summers waxing Shelby Ahrendt’s skis.

Photo by Kelly Rauzi Cross-country volunteer Burt Carlsted-Gillis and Coach Mark Summers waxing Shelby Ahrendt’s skis.

The Cook County crosscountry ski team traveled to Korkki Nordic Ski Area Tuesday, January 5 for the Two Harbors Invitational. The meet included varsity, junior varsity, and junior high races. Eight schools showed up to compete in crisp, clear, calm conditions. There were some exciting highlights for the Vikings at the meet.

First, the junior high boys’ team took first place. The Vikings beat six other teams to claim the number one slot. They earned 381 points based on their top four finishers. Cloquet-Esko-Carlton came in second, followed by Ely, Duluth East, Two Harbors, Marshall, and Proctor.

Another highlight at Korkki was the completion of the course by first-time racers, Katrina Axtell, Cheyenne Sorlie, Natalie Nalezny, Will Seaton, and Roman Schnobrich. “It’s always a great accomplishment to get that first one under your belt,” commented Coach Mark Summers.

Finally, the Viking ski team was cheered on by quite a few fans. Parents, friends and grandparents made the trip to Korkki to support their skiers. Included in this group were Burt Carlsted-Gillis and Kelly Rauzi helping the team wax before the races.

Photo by Kelly Rauzi The winning junior high cross-country ski team at Korkki Nordic Ski Area: (L-R, front) Joe Rauzi, Lino Rauzi, a Proctor skier, and Nate Carlson. Back in blue cap: Hank Bemlott.

Photo by Kelly Rauzi The winning junior high cross-country ski team at Korkki Nordic Ski Area: (L-R, front) Joe Rauzi, Lino Rauzi, a Proctor skier, and Nate Carlson. Back in blue cap: Hank Bemlott.

The team has a number of races coming up, including a home meet at Pincushion Mountain on Friday, January 29. Spectators are always welcome.

Two Harbors Invitational individual results:

Varsity Boys: 5.5 km
15th Kieran Scannell 20:59.5
38th A lex Ditmanson 26:15.7

Varsity Girls: 5.5 km
15th Shelby Ahrendt 25:49.2
29th A udrey Summers 28:41.8

Jr. Varsity Boys: 5.5 km
29th D aniel Ditmanson 29:17.4
35th Jordan Zunker 31:32.1

Jr. Varsity Girls: 5.5 km
32nd Karlee Axtel 36:00.0

Jr. High Boys: 4 km
2nd Hank Bemlott 15:28.4
5th Joe Rauzi 16:46.9
6th Lino Rauzi 16:50.0
10th N ate Carlson 17:46.3
14th Joey Chmelik 19:11.8
26th Will Seaton 23:51.7
28th Ben Resek 25:50.8
30th R oman Schnobrich 45:30.2

Jr. High Girls: 4 km
3rd Mara MacDonell 18:09.0
20th Katrina Axtell 22:48.2
29th N atalie Nalezny 26:39.6
36th Cheyenne Sorlie 36:50.2



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