‘Nordic skiing is growing’: Local athletes return from OFSAA

High school athletes from Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding area have returned home after competing at this year’s OFSAA Nordic Skiing Championship in Lakefield, Ont.

The Algoma District was well represented this past Thursday as 21 athletes from Korah, Superior Heights, White Pines, St. Mary’s, and CASS competed in two divisions: open (club-affiliated) and high school (not club-affiliated).

Organizers say that snowfall in the Peterborough area from Wednesday night and throughout race day made conditions tougher as the junior girls and boys put their limits to the test on a 5 km trail, while the senior girls and boys raced 7.5 km.

Standout performers included Superior Heights Grade 9 student and NOSSA champion Kate DeBeer, who skied to a 6th place finish in the open division.

“It was really fun,” DeBeer says. “To see a whole bunch of people out there competing and having that environment with people who don’t compete with a club was really cool.”

Having competed on the Soo Finnish ski team for a number of years, DeBeer says attending NOSSA and OFSAA was a nice changeup.

“It was awesome having that different level of competition with all these people who were still learning and getting the chance to go to OFSAA,” she says. “Finishing on the podium was really cool.”

“I’d like to attend again and hopefully get higher up next time.”

Micah Byman of CASS also had an excellent result placing 12th in the open division.

High school cross-country convenor Greg MacLachlan says he couldn’t be prouder of the athletes for their efforts and positive attitudes.  

“The kids competed super well,” he says. “Cross-country skiing is a very positive sport, so there’s a lot of comradery and encouraging each other to do well.”

“The high schools made a commitment at the start of the year to work together. All the schools cheered each other on at NOSSA and OFSAA, so it was a total team effort.”

“Nothing but positive vibes the whole time.”

With Nordic skiing making a return to local elementary and high schools for the first time in many years, MacLachlan explains kids now have an opportunity to ski longer and in a different context.

“The sport can become expensive for some people who can’t afford to go all over the province for Ontario Cup races,” he says. “This gives kids who don’t have the means to get into the club a chance to get around and go to high-level competition.”

“I’ve talked to some guys at OFSAA, and some of the kids from high school end up skiing in university, even though they’ve never done the club stuff or the O-Cup races. Some of them even come back and coach the high school teams because they want to give back to the sport.”

Alder Devries, a Grade 12 student at White Pines who is relatively new to the sport, had never been to a cross-country skiing competition before.

Having a city championship, as well as NOSSA and OFSAA appearances behind him now, he’s looking forward to getting out on the trails more often.

“I can definitely see myself skiing more,” he says. “It’s awesome the schools got this started up, because otherwise I wouldn’t have done it.”

“Everyone who’s involved in skiing is super nice. It’s really an amazing sport.”

The Northern Ontario Championships for Nordic Skiing will be hosted in Sudbury next year, but MacLachlan says their goal is to have the Sault host NOSSA the year after.

Talks have also begun on hosting OFSAA in the next few years.

In an email to SooToday, the cross-country high school convenor says he is beyond appreciative to everyone who made this season a success

“Nordic Skiing in Sault Ste. Marie is growing both at the elementary and the secondary level thanks to a lot of community support from both school boards, and the support of Hiawatha Highlands and the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club who generously donated ski rentals for the City Championships, NOSSA, and OFSAA.”

“The high school ski league also received generous support throughout the year for events from community partners Metro Churchill Plaza, Metro Northern Avenue, Metro Second Line, Aurora's Hillside, Rico's Catering, and Bethel Bible Chapel.”

“The athletes and coaches are thankful and wouldn't have been able to enjoy the amazing experience of travelling to NOSSA and OFSAA without the support of these organizations and people.”

OFSAA results:

Junior Girls Open Division

• Kate DeBeer (Superior Heights): 6th
• Taylor Nieson (St. Mary's): 23rd
• Ariya Rooney (Korah): 31st​

Junior Boys Open Division

• Simon Trombello (Korah): 27th
• Mateo Ivora (Superior Heights): 33rd
• Kai Foster (Superior Heights): 39th

Junior Boys High School Division

• Josh Lamming (St. Mary's): 27th
• Seth Bishop (Superior Heights): 43rd

Senior Girls Open Division

• Ahnika Davey (Korah): 25th
• Anna Towle (Superior Heights): 28th
• Helena Schoahs (Superior Heights): 29th

Senior Girls High School Division

• Catrina Dugas (Superior Heights): 27th
• Malia Kirk (White Pines): 71st

Senior Boys Open Division

• Micah Byman (CASS): 12th
• Trysten Kahtava (Korah): 29th
• Erik Kary (White Pines): 30th

Senior Boys High School Division

• Linden Devries (White Pines): 36th
• Alder Devries (White Pines): 60th
• Oliver Beckett (White Pines): 83rd
• Matt DaCosta (White Pines): 85th