Sub-zero temps make skiing tough at State Nordic Ski meet

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Sub-zero temperatures delayed the start of the State Nordic Ski meet this weekend an hour and a half, with start time temps at minus 3 degrees.

“It was a tough day for our State Nordic Ski meet qualifiers,” said Cardinal head coach Chris Brown. “Below zero temps, delayed starts and collisions on the course took their toll on junior captain Drew Paradis and senior captain Missy Erickson.

“This was Drew’s first trip to state as a skier,” he added. “He was consistent in both races, finishing 80th out of 116 in the skate race with a time of 18:30.

“He then came back strong in the classic race, finishing 68th with a time of 17:09 to move him up to 76th in the pursuit.

“This was Missy’s third trip to the state meet, hoping to better her place over last year and she did.

“Missy placed 44th out of 116 in the skate race with a time of 20:49,” he said. “This put her just 30 seconds from the top 25, which would be All-state.

“In the classic race, she finished 52nd with a time of 19:56 for a combined place of 46th in the pursuit.”

Central Lakes Conference foe Little Falls finished third overall in the state team girls’ standings, while the Bemidji boys finished eighth.

Joe Dubay of Andover was the boys’ individual champion, with Jessie Diggins of Stillwater first in the girls’ division.

Tags: alexandria, nordic, skiing, state, meet