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Otter Nordic Ski Team Opens Season at Maplelag Resort

By Craig Olson, 01/20/21, 9:45AM CST

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Tuesday was the first race of the season for the Otter Nordic Ski Team as they competed at the Moorhead Nordic Invite held at Maplelag Resort just north of Detroit Lakes. The varsity boys and girls competed in a 5k freestyle (skate) race, and the JV and middle school athletes competed in a 3.5K race.


David Ronnevik finished ninth overall. PHOTO PROVIDED

“We're a young team, and I was curious how that was going to pan out,” said Head Coach Joshua Scharnberg. “Though we are young, we have a ton of talent, and I'm feeling ecstatic about the rest of our season.”

The Otters had some really nice, all around finishes, which are highlighted here with comments from Scharnberg.

David Ronnevik (9th) placed 9th overall for boys Varsity. “That is very very good when you're competing against teams like Bemidji, Brainerd, Moorhead and the like. David commented about the race, "I've been working out a lot [in the offseason], and it has really paid off. I have a goal of beating Elias Knapp but I fell and lost about 10 seconds." David says his overall goals for the season are to "have a top 5 finish and a chance at state."

 


Senior Kolsen Papon nearing the finish line. PHOTO PROVIDED


Alexis Wellman out on the course for the varsity race. PHOTO PROVIDED

Leila Nasri (10th) is a first time skier this year. “She was super nervous before the race, but she did it and finished well in the girls JV race. As her coach, I'm impressed with how far her technique has come in less than three weeks. She says, "It was different and hard, but once I got my rhythm down it felt much better. I can only get better because it was my first race."

Her teammate Kacey Fredrickson (11th) was spectating and cheering Leila on. Kacey said, "I'm proud that she's going out and trying something new. Not a lot of people do that this late in high school."  Kacey, by the way, is also new to skiing this year! Unfortunately, she was nursing a bum shoulder and could not compete.”

Estee VerSteeg (7th) started the junior high race in the last wave. “Before her were two waves of boys and one wave of girls with 30 seconds between each wave. Estee managed to pass a bunch of people, including boys in the first wave to finish strong and fast. We still need to calculate her overall time, but it will be excellent.”

Scharnberg concluded, “It was so much fun to see our kids competing with other schools. Complete results can be found at http://www.herostiming.com/.

 


Jenna Thorsen finishing her race. PHOTO PROVIDED