Kaleb Berka represented the CCHS Vikings in the boys’ classic race at the Ely Invitational Nordic ski meet. Kaleb had a strong race.
It was a crisp clear day, the kind with intense sun, sparkling snow, bright blue skies, and air so frosty your eyeballs freeze between blinks. High school and middle school athletes from across the Arrowhead region gathered for another Nordic ski race.
Ely’s Hidden Valley Trail System was the perfect place to host a ski meet during the pandemic, as the broad winding finish area is expansive enough for athletes, coaches, and spectators alike to follow strict social distancing rules: spectators stayed 12 feet from the course, all others were six feet apart, all were masked, and each team even had its own bathroom!
Despite everyone keeping their distance, it was the closest thing to a festival that I have experienced since the pandemic began. Music played, people danced (well, I danced!), and encouraging cheers filled the air. Young people were working hard, pushing themselves and their teammates to excel.
Our own Two Harbors- Cook County Nordic Ski Team was one of three participating teams, along with Ely and CEC (Cloquet/ Esko/Carlton) in the January 28 Ely Invitational. A highlight of this unique event was the skiathlon race. Varsity racers completed a 3.6km loop on classic skis, then zipped through the stadium, quickly switched into skate skis, and completed another 3.6 km loop before rounding the stadium a final time to the finish.
Showing good form as she navigates her way up a long hill is Naomi Tracy-Hegg. Photos courtesy of Becky Bartol
Our own Cece Chmelik completed this challenge with a quick transition and strong finish. Olya Wright won the junior varsity girls classic ski race with a lead of over two minutes! Kaleb Berka represented Cook County in the junior varsity boys’ classic race. We had three junior high racers, including Naomi Tracy- Hegg, as well as first time racers Emma Crook and Mary June Wharton. Each teammate remained strong as they twisted through the wooded trail system, facing hill after hill, encouraged by inspiring songs of chickadees and attentive eyes of a Great Grey Owl.
Picking up all of the speed she could, Cece Chmelik pushed hard for a good time in the varsity skiathlon race. The skiathlon consisted of athletes completing a 3.6K loop on classic skis and then completing the same distance on skate skis.
The Cook County Nordic Ski team expanded this year with ten participants, including five first time participants. I believe the success of our North Superior Youth Ski League (Y-ski) has spurred interest in the sport. As skiers age out of Y-ski they are invited to join an exceptional team with five phenomenal coaches. Dave and Becky Bartol have served as head and assistant coach for four years. Their commitment to the youth of this county has made our team possible. Second year assistant coach Jeanne Wright’s creative ideas, such as the “Kickin’ Kilometers” distance goal tracker and the Nordic Ski Workout Bingo encouraged youth to have fun and train hard even before the team could practice together. The youth have enjoyed technique lessons by fourth year assistant coach Dr. Kurt Farchmin and second year assistant coach Mike Crook.
If you know someone in grades 7-12, encourage them to join our vibrant Nordic Ski team with its extraordinary leadership!
Although this was her first junior high race, Emma Crook is skiing like a pro!
Mary June Wharton works hard as she uses her ski poles to push up the hill. This was Mary June’s first junior high race as a Viking.
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