NYSSRA Championship

A big thank you to NYSEF, and ORDA and NYSSRA Executive Director Bob Underwood for hosting the 2021 NYSSRA Championship.

Modifications were made for the ongoing Pandemic. Racers got to test out the new World Cup Biathlon course, including up to 3 loops of the new Ladies 5K and Interloopen course. Times ranged from about 13 minutes to over 30 minutes to complete their 5K laps. Competitors ranging from U14 to M10 found themselves up to the challenge. Over 100 athletes skied each day- making this a very popular NYSSRA Championship.

Saturday was classical: For the Girls 7.5K State Championship race: Sophia Kelting won Gold, Grace Mattern took silver, and Zophia Stefankovik earned Bronze. Seniors and masters skied the same course: SLU athletes owned the podium with Steph Nichols skiing the day’s fastest laps, and Jordan Schuster and Gabrielle Wangler taking Silver and Bronze.

The U16 race ran concurrently, and the 3 top spots went to: Catherine Anzellotti, Emilia Jordan and Bella Wissler.

For the boys the 10K State Championship race: Andrew Scanio, Braden Bellizi and Lucas Jenkin took gold, silver and Bronze. Senior and Masters skied the same course. Tim Cunningham and Charlie Reinhart of SLU took overall gold and silver. RNR’s Jason Hettenbaugh took overall bronze. The U16 podium looked very familiar with Andrew Scanio, Braden Bellizi, and Miles Mattern occupying the top 3 spots.

On Sunday: The technique was skate, and the course remained challenging, and the Girls skied consistently.

Sophia Kelting won Gold, Grace Mattern took silver, and Zophia Stefankovik earned Bronze. The U16 race ran concurrently, and the 3 top spots went to: Catherine Anzellotti, Emilia Jordan and Bella Wissler.

Andrew Scanio Adrian Hayden and Miles Mattern were the fastest Scholastic racers on the 7.5K skate course. Ayden Ripp took overall gold, ahead of Scanio and Hayden. The U16 competition podium was made up of: Scanio, Mattern, and Bellizi in that order.

Seniors and Masters skied a 15KM course. Paul Allison skied a blistering pace – stopping the clock at 41:19 ahead of Beckett Ledger and Matt Bellizzi. The women (and 1 fast JR) joined the Men on the 15K course. Heidi Underwood took the top spot, followed by Ann Brenan (U18), and Deb Nordyke.

These results were eventually tabulated (taking far longer that it took to ski the course) and the results are up for this seasons NYSSRA Points Series.

The Wilkinson Cup was won by Andrew Scanio (395), and Maddi Ralyea (384). This result comes from the best percent back score from Champs and their 2 best races. Their name swill be engraved on the NYSSRA Nordic Wilkinson Cup perpetual trophy.

The NYSSRA points series was won By Jessica Northan (567-overall) and the top Male was Eric Seyse with 479 (in a squeaker with Scott Brown, Jim Miller and Brian Northan.

Normally some nice Swag would be handed out around the podium while season long rivals share a handshake and a hug- But this year doing so could be more dangerous than skiing this course backwards. So Prizes will be shipped out to the winners by mail.

The Top team this year Was GHN-ADK Vauhti. Solid skiing from a steady crew of racers was essential as always. Saratoga took silver- demonstrating a very strong points per skier ratio, and Peru Nordic took third. Once again the big race was for third place with only 6 points between Rochester and Peru. NYSEF and St Lawrence flexed their muscles this weekend. When they come out they do very well.

Thank you all for being a part of this season. There will be some Spring series racing on the calendar shortly. Safely enjoy the snow while it lasts and join your club for some spring racing.