Thunderwolves finish on the podium during Ontario Cup

The Lakehead Thunderwolves Nordic Skiing team raced in the Ontario Cup at Lappe Nordic Ski Centre in Thunder Bay this past weekend. 

Alannah MacLean, Kristen Kornell, Sarah Lutes, and Erika Mihell all raced for the Thunderwolves women’s team, while Taij Mann, Cameron Roe, Levi Warkentine, and Andy Shields raced for the men’s team.

In addition to the athletes who competed for Lakehead, the tournament also included athletes from Nipissing University, the University of Waterloo, McMaster University, and the University of Ottawa.

“A great opening weekend to start the new year. Alannah was fantastic as she always is, taking all three gold medals in the women’s event. Erika was great as well finishing with two podiums in the two races she contested,” said head coach Adam Kates.

MacLean finished top of the podium in the Skate Sprint (1200m), women’s 5km Individual Start Classic, and the women’s 10km Mass Start Skate, while Mihell finished third in the Skate Sprint (1200m), and the women’s 5km Individual Start Classic.

“On the men’s side our new recruit Andy showed why he will be a huge addition to our squad this year finishing on the podium in all three races and dominating the final men’s race,” said Kates  

“Also super impressive was Levi who is always a leader on our team and really put together a solid weekend.”

Shields finished second in both the Skate Sprint (1200m) and men’s 10km Individual Start Classic and finished in first place in the men’s 15 km Mass Start Skate. Warkentine had a sixth-place finish in the Skate Sprint (1200m), a fifth-place finish in the 10km Individual Start Classic, and a fourth-place finish in the men’s 15 km Mass Start Skate

“I was also super impressed by Taij who is new to the team this year and skied an awesome last race in a deep field,” said Kates.

“It is always awesome to race on home soil and this race was a great tune-up for the season to come.”

 

The results below are based on the University Category.

Day 1 – Skate Sprint (1200 m)

Men:

Andy Shields 2nd 

Cameron Roe 4th

Levi Warkentine 6th

Taij Mann 9th

 

Women:

Alannah MacLean 1st

Erica Mihell 3rd

Sarah Lutes 5th

 

Day 2 – Individual start classic race

Men -10km:

Andy Shields 2nd 

Levi Warkentine 5th

Cameron Roe 8th

Taij Mann 9th

 

Women – 5km:

Alannah MacLean 1st

Erica Mihell 3rd

Kristen Kornell 6th

Sarah Lutes 7th

 

Day 3 – Mass Start Skate

Men – 15km:

Andy Shields 1st

Levi Warkentine 4th

Taij Mann 6th

Cameron Roe 8th

 

Women- 10km:

Alannah MacLean 1st

Sarah Lutes 5th