Medals for Nipissing Nordic at Ontario Cup

The Lakers Varsity Nordic Ski team had a breakthrough set of results at last weekend’s Ontario Cup races in Timmins, bringing back five medals in three days of races. The small but dedicated team continued to build on what has been a year of consistently improving performances, with a targeted approach to this long weekend of races bringing out the best in individual athletes. Putting Nipissing Nordic athletes on the podium at a provincial level race grew the reputation of North Bay as a centre for excellence in cross-country skiing, with Nipissing University acting as a key vehicle for the development of university-aged skiers in the province.Second-year team member Lynsey Bialkowski charged forward with the momentum of her ski season, stepping onto the podium in each of the two races she entered in her strong skate technique. Bialkowski placed third in Saturday’s 5km skate event, proudly earning her first O-Cup medal, then sat out the middle distance classic race on Sunday to save her energy for Monday’s 3.8km skate race. The decision proved to be a smart one, as she moved up in the rankings and brought home a silver medal for Nipissing University, completing the unrelenting course in 12.34.10.
Racing on her home course, Brianna Yard made the call to focus on her favoured classic technique and started her race weekend with Sunday’s mass start event, pulling out a heartbreaking fourth place finish over the tough 10km trail. Hoping for more, Yard came back with determination to step up to a third place finish in Monday’s short distance skate race, demonstrating that she can succeed in both disciplines of cross-country skiing.
First-year racers Kamran Mirshahi and Kevin Durkee put in promising efforts to come out just short of medaling, with their best showings being fourth and fifth place finishes respectively in the 15km classic mass start race. This race was won in convincing fashion by North Bay Nordic athlete Scott Hill (now selected for the Southern Ontario Training Center), supported by Nipissing Nordic/North Bay Nordic, with the team’s four wax technicians putting out very competitive skis through the rapidly changing conditions over the weekend.
Results from the men’s side of the Lakers team came from team captain Andrew Kerr, who brought home two bronze medals, one in the 15km classic race, and another in the 3.8km skate technique. Kerr demonstrated solid leadership throughout the races, encouraging his teammates to put in more while celebrating their successes over this standout weekend.
The Lakers head to Laurentian University on Friday, February 24, to compete at the OUA Championships, with a classic race Saturday morning, the hotly contested team relays on Saturday afternoon, and middle distance mass start skate races on Sunday. The team is hardened from a year of training and proud to represent Nipissing University.  These fit student-athletes embody the drive and spirit that make our school stand out.
Full results are available here.