Falcon, Cougar skiers do well in MVC, states

REGION -- It certainly was an action-packed time. However, the performances proved to be rewarding for the Mountain Valley girls' and boys' Alpine Ski teams, which finished second and third in the combined event at the Class C state championships.

On the first day of competition, the Dirigo girls' and boys' Nordic team finished fifth and sixth in the combined (5K Classical/Freestyle).

A prevailing wind made the cross country race challenging at the Heritage Center in Presque Isle.

Mountain Valley certainly made its presence known, with Connor Woods winning Skimeister (combined individual scores of Giant Slalom, Slalom, Freestyle and Classical). In fact, Woods (18, 17, 30, 33, for 98 points) was in good company because four other teammates finished in the top eight for Skimeister.

These included: 2. Joseph Richard (19, 9, 55, 59 for 142); 4. Jared Arsenault (13, 12, 73, 72, for 170 points); 6. JT Greene (12, 18, 71, 75 for 176 points) and 8. Corbin Arsenault (44, 47, 53, 51 for 195 points). Woods also won Skimeister at the MVC.

On the first day of Alpine, the weather was beautiful, sunny and no wind.

A highlight was five Falcons placing in the top 18 in the Slalom race, with Richard ninth, J Arsenault at 12, Chris Bourret at 13, Woods at 17 and Greene at 18. The Alpine races were held at Bigrock Mountain, with a combined times of two runs.

The girls figured in Skimeister also with Katie Collette (1, 4, 47, 68 for 120 points) and Elizabeth "Blitz" Adley (28, 25, 61, 69 for 183 points) finishing fifth and sixth, respectively. Collette shined on the mountain course by winning the GS and finishing fourth in the Slalom.

The girls had entered the state meet with momentum after having won the Alpine at the Mountain Valley Conference championships. In the GS at Black Mountain, Collette placed second, Sarah Klein third, Elle Hall in 11th and Adley in 16th.

Klein won Slalom at Titcomb Mtn. in Farmington, followed by Collette (second), Hall (seventh) and Adley (17th).

These Falcon girls' ski team members had these reactions:
Katie Collette said, "Couldn't have asked for better conditions. The courses were great and the girls team skied amazing. I am proud of our season, from MVC champs to runners up at the state meet. Can't wait for next year!"
Elizabeth Adley said, "Having everyone on the team and the parents being so supportive makes being on the team so much better. I feel like we have our own little family, that is why we work good as a team!"
Elle Hall noted, "I loved spending time up in Presque Isle with all of my teammates. This was my first year and I will never forget it. I loved every minute of the season and can't wait for next year."
Regarding the state meet, Sarah Klein said, " I think that the team skied great this year. Even though the weather conditions at states were tough, we all stuck through and tried our hardest."

Dirigo was led in the 5K by Silvia Lutick, 20; Natalie Bolduc, 25; Krystal Blood, 27; M. Morrison, 32; Kate Bonny, 41 and Addy Fuller, 51.

The Cougar boys had Sawyer Smith, Seth Tachney, Mike Chow, Martin and Ben Buck. Fort Kent boys edged Freeport, while Freeport beat Fort Kent for the girls' crown. The two teams have combined to win the past 10 boys titles and past eight girls crowns.