The Lakers Nordic team was in action this past Sunday at the Muskoka Loppet, to kick off the first preparatory race of the season.
The team was up against other OUA competition from Queens, Laurentian and U of Toronto, all making the trip to Huntsville to compete in the 15 and 30 kilometre classic races.
Great weather conditions and fresh snow created some very tactical races over both distances and the Lakers were able to bring home some hardware.
On the Women’s side, Lauren Aarts a third year Biology student, was the only Laker lady in action. With the team battling illness, Aarts stayed healthy to complete the 15k race in a time of 1:02:37.
Aarts picked up a bronze in her age category for her first individual podium and 7th overall.
The men’s team was split between the 15 and 30k races. Leading the men in the 15k race was rookie Brett Hotchkiss finishing in 14th overall (fifth in age category) in a time of 52:59.8. He was chased closely by hometown skier Bryan Stone in 19th and rookie Travis Mann in 27th respectively.
Big props to Travis for getting the first classic race under his belt.
Coach Dave Nighbor wanted to ensure the men were not holding back on course and raced to a 9th place finish (first in his age category).
Our Northern Ontario Division Junior Lakers athlete Hudson McCubbin went out strong and held on for a 3rd place finish overall in the 15k, boding well for skier development in Northern Ontario.
In the 30k race, it was the two seniors leading the way for the Lakers. With fresh snow falling during the second 15k lap the race became very tactical. Matt Chalmers raced to an 8th place finish in 1:37:22.2 (3rd in age category). Kevin Durkee who has been battling sickness the past few weeks was able to put that behind him and push through to a 13th place finish overall.
Second year skier Connor Psiuk battled to a 19th place finish and 3rd in his age category as the race season kicks off. The Lakers remain in town next weekend as they prepare for the Eastern Canadian Championships at Nakkertok Nordic, February 5 to 7.
