Banner Season: Ravens, Thunderwolves earn gold on championship weekend
Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. (via Algoma Thunderbirds) - The 2025 OUA Nordic Ski Championships were held at Hiawatha Highlands this past weekend. Hosted by Algoma University and the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club, the event included the following teams: Algoma Thunderbirds, Carleton Ravens, Guelph Gryphons, Lakehead Thunderwolves, Laurentian Voyageurs, McMaster Marauders, Nipissing Lakers, Ottawa Gee-Gees, Queen’s Gaels, Toronto Varsity Blues, Waterloo Warriors.
Men’s Team Standings
Gold - Lakehead Thunderwolves
Silver - Carleton Ravens
Bronze - Ottawa Gee-Gees
Women’s Team Standings
Gold - Carleton Ravens
Silver - Ottawa Gee-Gees
Bronze - Nipissing Lakers
Interval Start Free Technique
The men’s competition saw a dominant performance from the Lakehead Thunderwolves, with Nicholas Randall securing the gold medal (38:35.6) and teammate Joel Haering claiming silver (39:13.9). Carleton’s Kaeden Ward rounded out the podium with a bronze-medal finish (39:20.7).
On the women’s side, Carleton’s Helen McCulligh delivered a championship-winning performance to take home gold (43:50.6), while Lakehead’s Mia Sawatsky earned silver (45:35.0). Carleton’s Sophia Giangrande joined her teammate on the podium with a bronze-medal finish (45:41.0).
In the para-nordic category, Ottawa Gee-Gees' Emma Archibald raced to victory, securing the gold medal (48:22.5).
Mass Start Classic Technique
Lakehead’s Nicholas Randall continued his dominance, winning his second gold medal (34:10.2) of the championship. His teammate Alexander Randall earned silver (34:19.6), while Carleton’s Noah Vanderzon claimed the bronze (34:20.9).
The women’s mass start event saw a shift in podium positions, with Lakehead’s Mia Sawatsky stepping to the top to earn gold (38:09.3). Carleton’s Helen McCulligh added a silver medal (38:13.2) to her collection, while Ottawa’s Maude Molgat captured bronze (39:31.4).
Once again, Ottawa’s Emma Archibald demonstrated her skill in the para-nordic category, earning her second gold medal (45:15.6) of the event. Algoma celebrated their very own head coach, Logan Bach, as she earned Coach of the Year.
OUA Men’s All Stars:
1- Nicholas Randall - Lakehead Thunderwolves
2 - Alexander Randall - Lakehead Thunderwolves
3 - Kaedan Ward - Carleton Ravens
4 - Wes Robinson-Shaw - Carleton Ravens
5 - Noah Vanderzon - Carleton Ravens
6 - Japhy-Kai Crookham - Nipissing Lakers
7 - Joel Haering - Lakehead Thunderwolves
8 - Raphael Guerout - Carleton Ravens
9 - Darion Dillabaugh - Carleton Ravens
10 - Milo Sircom-Brown - Ottawa Gee-Gees
10 - Nathaniel Sneyd - Carleton Ravens
OUA Women’s All Stars:
1 - Helen McCulligh - Carleton Ravens
2 - Mia Sawatsky - Lakehead Thunderwolves
3 - Brooke Ailey - Nipissing Lakers
4 - Anna Sierra Heffernan-Wilker - Ottawa Gee-Gees
5 - Mia Smith - Nipissing Lakers
6 - Madelaine Galik - Carleton Ravens
7 - Sophia Giangrande - Carleton Ravens
8 - Kate Mason - Ottawa Gee-Gees
9 - Maya Abraham - Carleton Ravens
10 - Isabella Pighin - Carleton Ravens
