EPIC WEEKEND AT MIDDLEBURY

This past weekend the team headed 5 hours west to Middlebury, Vermont to race at Breadloaf. Tapping on wood as we went, we knew that we typically ski well at the Middlebury Carnival. However, we didn't know that the women's team would be making a little history. Natalie Ruppertsberger clearly held nothing back in her 10k classic placing 3rd behind US SKi Team member Rosie Brennan and only 7 seconds behind recently returned World Junior competitor, Sophie Caldwell. No less impressive were finishes from Caitlin Curran and Abby Samuelson who were 13th and 14th respectively. Despite wax/ski issues with Beth, she still had yet another top-20 finish. Both Megan and Kirsten are still getting healthy, but skiing faster with each race. The women placed 2nd as a team which is the best ANY womens team has ever placed for nordic skiing at Bates. Congrats to the girls.

The guys also had an impressive weekend. The men put 4 in the top-25. Sylvan finished 6th after battling for a top-10 position after the top of the hill. Sam E.B. ended up 13th and only 14 seconds out of the top-10. Tim and Harry both skied to a 24th and 25th place respectively. Connor and Dylan described their races as good, but not where they wanted to be.

Overall our nordic team was 3rd overall behind Division I schools, Dartmotuh and UVM. We were the first Division III school in front of host college Middlebury, Williams, Bowdoin, Colby, and St. Lawrence.

We have a short distance to travel for our final carnival for the season. Our regional championships at Sugarloaf, Maine. We wil have a 10k classic and a 20k mass start skate.

Make sure to take a look at Lincoln Benedict's picture and video from the races this season so far. He is from Bates and has been getting great reviews from the entire eastern ski circuit.

Also here is our most recent team picture for all those who haven't seen their child's face in awhile.