Orono High School's Ruth White captured the Mountain Valley Confenence Nordic Classical Championship at Sugarloaf Outdoor Center on February 10th. On a day that proved challenging for waxing, White completed the 5k course in 20:37, more than three minutes ahead of the next skier. Emily Kidd of the Mt. Abram Roadrunners was second across the finish line with a time of 23:57.4. The final skier to qualify for a podium spot was Kidd's teammate Autumn Pulk, who has a time of 24:11.0. Finishing in fourth place was Orono's Megan Gerbi (24:11.0), with Ella Allan-Rahill of Orono (26:24.9) and Ella Akers of Telstar (27:08.2) rounding out the top six.
In the men's race Abrahm Geissinger of the Spruce Mountain Phoenix took top honors with a time of 17:15.1. Second place went to Mt. Abram's Alex Hemingway, who crossed the finish line in 17:17.0. Kyle McClellen of Orono took third, striding to the finish in a time of 18:56.0. Rounding out the top six were Cam Walters of Mt. Abram (18:59.5), teammate Jeff Warnock (19:59.0) and Orono's Tommy Owen (20:19.4).
The Orono girls and the Mt Abram boys take the lead after day 1. The MVC Nordic Championships conclude on Saturday at Titcomb Mtn with the freestyle pursuit.
WOMEN TEAM RESULTS AFTER DAY 1
1 ORONO 4 786.0 786.0
2 MT ABRAM 3 581.0 581.0
3 TELSTAR 3 572.0 572.0
4 WINTHROP 3 565.0 565.0
5 DIRIGO 3 556.0 556.0
6 SPRUCE MT 3 553.0 553.0
MEN'S TEAM RESULTS AFTER DAY 1
1 MT ABRAM 780.0
2 ORONO 778.0
3 SPRUCE MT 765.0
4 MT VALLEY 724.0
5 DIRIGO 551.0
6 TELSTAR 187.0