Jackson, NH ~ In a historic moment for the Paul Smith's College women's Nordic team, they have emerged victorious and clinched their first-ever Eastern Collegiate Ski Conference (ECSC) Divisional crown. Despite their consistent presence on the podium at the National Championships, the women had never before claimed the divisional title. This year, however, they left no doubt about their prowess on the traills as they dominated the ECSC Divisional Championships held in Jackson, NH over the weekend.
Head Coach Matt Dougherty expressed his elation with the team's outstanding performances, stating, "I am thrilled with the team's achievements. We witnessed so many athletes setting personal records, which is a testament to their hard work and dedication."
On the first day of the competition, the women battled uncharacteristically warm weather as temperatures reached 65 degrees Farenheit. Despite the challenging conditions, they tied with UVM and showcased their resilience and determination. On the second day, the team sealed their first-ever ECSC Divisional Championship as
Dolcie Tanguay (Fort Kent, ME),
Jessie Church (Bethlehem, NH), and
Kaisa Bosek (Alexandria, MN) won the Team Relay event. Tanguay, a standout athlete who has made appearances on both the national and international stage for Team USA, emerged as the individual champion on both days, solidifying her status as a force to be reckoned with as one of the best colleigate skiiers in the country.
Not to be outdone, the men's Nordic team also repeated as divisional champions, dominating both days of competition.
Aidan Ripp (Cloquet, MN) claimed the individual titles on both days, further highlighting the team's exceptional talent and skill as they head into ECSC Regionals this upcoming weekend at Dewey Mountain in Saranac Lake.
Impressive performances were seen on Day 1 as Tanguay took first place and Bosek achieved a career-best second place finish in the Classic Race.
Emily Cieslewitz (Marcy, NY) also had a breakthrough performance as she finished in 15th place - a significant accomplishment for the women's team.
In the men's division, Ripp continued to shine, claiming first place in the Classic Race. He was followed by
Philip Matthews (Half Moon, NY) in third place and
Timothy Ziegler (Marquette, MI) in eighth place.
The Team Relay championships were a highlight for both the men and women, with the women's team comprising Bosek, Tanguay, and Church securing first place. The men's team, consisting of Ripp, Matthews,
Diego Schillaci (New Paltz, NY) also claimed the top spot.
The top teams from this championship will now pursue a berth in the United States Collegiate Ski Conference Association (USCSA) National Championships at the ECSC Regional Championships. Paul Smith's College, the defending regional champions on the men's side, are local favorites and are hoping to secure a three-peat. Meanwhile, the women's team is determined to claim their first-ever regional title.
You can follow the Nordic team on Instagram at @paulsmiths_nordic or follow the general athetlics account at @smitty_nation for schedules, updates, recaps, and more!
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At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.
