KAMINISTIQUIA – The Lakehead Thunderwolves remain the top men’s Nordic skiing squad in Ontario University Athletics.
The team captured the provincial banner for the third straight season over the weekend with their overall performance at the Lappe Ski Centre.
“I didn’t want to put too much pressure on the guys or myself as a coach with the meet being on home turf, but it was definitely there,” Thunderwolves coach Adam Kates said.
“We had some illnesses coming into the weekend and some skiers that were lacking a bit of form, but from top to bottom, our guys really stepped up and I’m super proud of the effort they had.”
Winnipeg’s Conor McGovern, who has been part of all three men’s championship teams, helped to lead the way for the Thunderwolves.
He earned a silver medal in the men’s classic event and teamed up with Erikson Moore of Mont-Tremblant, Que., and Thunder Bay’s Alex Randall to strike gold in the men’s classic relay race.
Randall joined McGovern on the podium in the individual event with a bronze medal performance.
“Guys like Johann Taylor-Gregg, Luke Pollex and Toby Quinn also came out strong this weekend,” Kates said. “Everybody just about had or ended up having their best races of the season at the OUAs.”
Sophia Marshall had the top individual result for the women’s team, who wrapped up the weekend in fourth place.
Marshall – who calls Huntsville home – captured a bronze medal in the women’s classic race.
“Sophia is always happy and always grateful to be out there racing, which makes such a positive impact on our team,” Kates said.
“As a whole, the weekend was a really strong start for the rebuild we have going for our women’s program. Mia Sawatsky had a couple of top 10 finishes and the two Alexes (Scheifele and Wood) also performed well.
“With the foundation we have with that group and the new recruits we have coming in for next year, hopefully we can get that team back on the podium," Kates said.
Behind the scenes, assistant coach Steve Hart and the Big Thunder Nordic wax technicians helped to get the Thunderwolves prepared for the meet ahead of time as Kates was forced to the sidelines with an illness.
“Steve did the lion’s share of the work this week with organizing the team and getting things where we needed them to be,” Kates said. “We didn’t miss a beat.”
Thunderwolves skiers wrap up their competitive seasons next month at the national championships in Gatineau, Que.
