Lake Placid, NY ~ The Paul Smith's Nordic ski team kicked off the Eastern Collegiate Ski Conference (ECSC) season with an impressive display of skill and determination, securing double wins at the Clarkson Invitational at Mt. Van Hoevenberg over the weekend. Despite challenging conditions, the Bobcats showcased their talent and teamwork and left the other participating schools in the snowy dust.
On Friday, the first day of the invitational, the Bobcats dominated the 5k Classic race.
Dolcie Tanguay (Fort Kent, ME) and
Jessie Church (Bethlehem, NH) led the charge as they finished first and second, respectively, while
Kaisa Bosek (Alexandra, MN) secured a commendable sixth place. On the men's side,
Aidan Ripp (Cloquet, MN) and
Philip Matthews (Half Moon, NY) mirrored their Bobcat teammates as they claimed the top two spots in the Men's 5k Classic, while
Diego Schillaci (New Paltz, NY) finished in fifth place.
Despite high winds and snow transitioning into pouring rain on Saturday, the team displayed unwavering resilience as they were undeterred by the unpredictable weather. The women's team took charge as they secured first, third, and fourth place as
Dolcie Tanguay delivered a dominating performance to claim her second victory in as many days. The men's team followed suit as they finished first, third, fourth, and fifth.
Aidan Ripp continued to demonstrate his exceptional cross country skiing skills, finishing in first place by two minutes.
The opening weekend proved to be a resounding success for the Paul Smith's College Nordic Ski Team as numerous personal records were shattered and outstanding performances were witnessed across the board. The strong start to the collegiate season sets the stage for an exciting journey ahead for the team as they look to compete for a national championship at the United States Colleigate Ski & Snowboard Association (USCSA) on their home turf at Mt. Van Hoevenberg in March.
"The team did a really good job of supporting each other and pushing their limits this weekend," said head nordic ski coach Matt Dougherty. "Their dedication and hard work have paid off and I couldn't be happier with their performances," he added.
The Bobcats now turn their attention to the upcoming US Supertour in Lake Placid where they aim to continue their winning streak and make their mark on the national stage.
You can follow the Nordic team on Instagram at @paulsmiths_nordic or follow the general athetlics account at @smitty_nation for schedules, photos, results, and more!
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At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institutionl 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.
