While snow is sparse throughout most of New England, the guns at Gunstock Nordic Association worked overtime to create a small loop for the NHNCA Coaches’ Series, one of two weekend races that every high school- private and public- compete in.
Combined results from both races are used to determine the New Hampshire teams at the J2 National Invitational Championships at Gunstock and the Eastern High School Championship in Rumford, ME. Each weekend typically has over 700 high school and middle school racers registered to race.
Amidst big wet snowflakes, Sean Doherty of Kennett High School finished first in a time of 12:35.9. He was followed by Fabian Stocek of Hopkinton High School in 12:38.0 and Sam Reed of Keene High School in 12:44.0.
On the girl’s side, Tess Hamilton of Hopkinton High School was first amidst a tightly packed girl’s field in a time of 14:56.9. Emily Nice of Hanover High School and Hannah Benson from Kennett High School rounded out the podium with times of 15:04.1 and 15:04.8 respectively. Racing continues on the 22nd of January in Whitefield, NH, in a 5km classic race. Complete results may be found here when posted
Ben Theyerl
Ben Theyerl was born into a family now three-generations into nordic ski racing in the US. He grew up skiing for Chippewa Valley Nordic in his native Eau Claire, Wisconsin, before spending four years racing for Colby College in Maine. He currently mixes writing and skiing while based out of Crested Butte, CO, where he coaches the best group of high schoolers one could hope to find.
