Banner Season: New year, same results, as Ravens and Thunderwolves top respective podiums once again

North Bay, Ont. – Arguably the most exciting day of the 2019 OUA Nordic Championship capped off the event Monday at Nipissing University.

It was an excellent finish to the championships and while the same three teams medaled, all schools turned in impressive runs on the 3x3.75km free relay.

On the women’s side the Lakehead Thunderwolves grabbed the gold medal, as Alannah Maclean, Erika Mihell and Shaylynn Loewen turned in great runs to take the relay title. Overall, the T’Wolves finished with a time of 37:44.7.

The Carleton Ravens grabbed silver and bronze, as their A team finished in second place, thanks to outstanding runs by Zoë Williams, Maggie McClure and Alyssa Stowe. Their final time was 45 seconds back of Lakehead, but 34 seconds ahead of their teammates, the B team. Third-place went to the trio of Chloe Ranahan, Alex Slobodian and Laura Inkila, who represented Carleton B.

The Nipissing Lakers – Emily Drake, Sophia Slater and Shelby Dickey – finished in fourth place, with the Ottawa Gee Gees rounding out the top five.

For the men, the Ravens grabbed a gold medal, finishing about a ski-length ahead of Lakehead in a photo finish. The two anchor skiers, coming down the stretch were neck-and-neck, but it was Colin Ward who slipped past Gavin Shields to give the Ravens gold. Ezra Pierce and Aidan Kirkham were the first two legs of the relay for the Ravens.

Lakehead took home silver with Shields, Noah and Malcolm Thompson making up the trio from Thunder Bay. Grabbing bronze under a minute behind the gold medal run was the Nipissing Lakers, anchored by Jordan Cascagnette. Alex Maycock and Kayden Sim also earned medals thanks to great races.

Ottawa grabbed fourth spot and Lakehead B rounded out the top five for the men.

With three days of racing in the books, the overall standings were much as expected.

For the women, the Carleton Ravens took home top spot and the gold medal. Lakehead finished with a silver medal and the Nipissing Lakers grabbed bronze thanks to a consistent effort all weekend. Guelph, Ottawa, Waterloo, Laurentian, Toronto and Queens all had strong weekends, capping off the OUA season.

The top three teams for the men were the identical to that on the women’s side; however, it was Lakehead who took top spot and the gold. Carleton finished just two points back and earned a silver medal, while Nipissing added another bronze to their collection with a solid outing and third place finish.

Ottawa ranked fourth, Guelph, Queens, Laurentian, Waterloo and Toronto made up the rest of the field.

OUA All-Stars

Women
Zoë Williams – Carleton
Alannah Maclean – Lakehead
Shaylynn Loewen – Lakehead
Maggie McClure – Carleton
Emily Drake – Nipissing
Laura Inkila – Carleton
Alyssa Stowe – Carleton
Erika Mihell – Lakehead
Chloe Ranahan – Carleton
Alexandra Slobodian – Carleton

Men
Aidan Kirkham – Carleton
Jordan Cascagnette – Nipissing
Noah Thompson – Lakehead
Ezra Pierce – Carleton
Malcolm Thompson – Lakehead
Ben Milley – Ottawa
Gavin Shields – Lakehead
Geoffrey Way-Nee – Lakehead
Graham Daly – Guelph
Conor McGovern – Lakehead

Coach of the Year
Marlee Sauder – Waterloo