Ripton, VT
The EISA Nordic circuit headed into the post season today
with the EISA Championships and NCAA Regionals at the Middlebury College
Carnival. The races were contested at the Riker Nordic Center in Ripton, Vermont.
Despite battling torrential downpours and warm temperatures late in the week,
the organizers were able to put together a full 5km race loop. With temperature
dipping into single digits last night, racers were treated to hard, fast tracks
for the day’s races.
The men were underway first with their 10 km skate, and
there was no stopping the University of Vermont. Jorgen Grav led a UVM sweep of
the podium, ahead of current skate leader Jack Hegman. They were closely
followed by teammate Cole Morgan who completed the sweep. The powerful
Dartmouth pairing of Fabian Stocek and Callan Deline rounded out the top 5 in
fourth and fifth respectively.
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| Jorgen Grav of UVM on his way to the win in the men's 10 km skate |
In the women’s 5km skate it was Annie Pokorny of Middlebury who took the win at her home carnival. She held off a charge of University of Vermont women who swept in to take places second through fifth. Current skate leader Alayna Sonnesyn raced to second, 8.5 seconds back of Pokorny. She was followed by Iris Pessey who finished third, less than two seconds ahead of Mary-Kate Cirelli in fourth. Senior Stephanie Kirk rounded out the top 5.
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| Annie Pokorny on her way to first in the women's 5 km skate. |
Races will resume tomorrow at Rikert Nordic Center with the
Men’s 20 km Classic and Women’s 15 km Classic Mass Starts.