The Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations Nordic competition in Sudbury was a banner event for the Huntsville High School Hoyas ski team.
There were podium finishes, personal bests, and an outstanding number of team members who qualified for the provincial competition in the first place.
Emily Parry, a Grade 9 student, came home with two golds and a bronze medal from the junior events. She won individually in the 5 km distance event and as part of the junior girls’ team relay event.
“The race was one of the most exciting races that spectators have seen in years where the girls jockeyed from first to third position throughout the race with the anchor skier, Braunwyn Strickland, racing an incredible sprint to overtake the lead skiers in the homestretch and win by two ski lengths,” explains Allison Myers, the team’s manager. “So exciting.”
Meanwhile the junior girls placed third overall in the team portion of the junior girls 5 km distance event, where all seven skiers’ results added up for a final score. The senior girls team raced a 7 km event and finished fifth overall.
With each individual score being added to the team result, this inspires athletes to celebrate each other no matter how fast they can ski, notes Myers.
The two-day OFSAA Nordic event took place on February 20 and 21 at Kivi Park in Sudbury with Huntsville High School qualifying 20 skiers—most of the Hoyas team—for the provincial competition.
There were several top 20 finishes, and a lot of personal best times posted by the Hoyas. The qualifiers were hosted at Arrowhead Provincial Park in Huntsville two weeks ago.
This is a significant accomplishment and one that the Hoyas have been building towards for many years. The team is coached by head training coach Dave Lomas and assistant coach Josh Plant.
Many of the team members started doing four days a week of training in November. They used roller skis in the dry season before the snow arrived. The number of Hoyas competing at OFSAA was a result of this commitment.
While most teams are only sending three or four athletes, and some bigger centres sending eight, qualifying 20 puts Huntsville near the top of the heap.
“We’re one of the strongest teams in the province,” says Lomas. “We had 50 or 60 practices this season.”
On the boys’ side, Lomas says a lot of them had great races and achieved personal bests. Theo Briand was the top result, getting fourth overall as an individual in the junior boys’ event.
“It’s outstanding what these kids in Huntsville are accomplishing,” says Lomas. “We’re a small town, but showing up at OFSAA with 20 athletes and always ending up on the podium one way or another.”
Myers, who is one of the Jack Rabbit ski program coordinators for Arrowhead Nordic Ski Club, says she feels privileged to be working with the HHS Nordic athletes. She mentions that many of them are also her staff members mentoring younger skiers in the club.
“I have been involved with the Nordic team for many years, out of my love for the sport but more importantly to work with these incredible teenagers,” says Myers. “Not only are these teenagers challenging themselves and pushing their skiing limits, they are also acting as mentors for young skiers in our community.”
Hoyas at OFSAA
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Congratulations to every member of the HHS Nordic Ski team and also to their coaches. Such a team effort is truly inspiring and we should all be proud of the hard work that they have done.
It is no surprise that Huntsville was well represented at this event. From a very early age, children in Huntsville have the opportunity to learn to ski through the Jackrabbit ski program. Our proximity to Arrowhead Park is key to such success. Most importantly are the terrific volunteers and teachers who take time out of their busy schedules to share their love of this lifelong sport. As well, the parents of these young people are to be commended for their efforts.
Well done Huntsville Hoyas!