BETHEL — The Telstar Middle School Nordic Team’s season is coming to a close.  After a lot of hard work put in by the skiers, they got the chance to showcase their progress this past week at state finals.

The Lady Rebels, made up of mostly 12-year-olds, grabbed second place overall at the Maine Junior League Skate Finals at Lost Valley on February 16. Mallory Raymond placed 2nd, and led the team to the finish line with a 10:28.8 time on the 3.7K course, followed closely behind by Lillian Smith and her sister Tess Smith, the twins taking 4th and 9th.

Rosie Barstow, 24th, beat her previous time on the Lost Valley course by 10 minutes; conditions were great for personal bests. Natalie Pellerin came in 29th and Isla Decato, sporting new boots, came in 33rd and bested her time by 12 minutes. Ceci Ross placed 49th in a field of more than 50 girls coming from 8 teams.

Gentlemen Rebels, a young team of all 7th graders, placed 6th overall.  Reece Pierce crossed the finish line 27th with 12:52.8, improving his time by more than three minutes. Bear Otten finished 33rd, Kaiden Manjourides took advantage of the fast course and finished 43rd, beating his previous time by more than four minutes. Davon DeGruttola raced his way to 53rd out of a field of 68. Davon improved his time by more than five minutes.

On Saturday, February 19, the Telstar Rebels returned to the snow at Titcomb for the Maine Junior Ski League Classic Finals.   The recent rain, freezing temperatures,  compounded by fresh snow falling just as the race was getting ready to start made finding the perfect Klister and wax combination a must.  Classic skiing requires a certain amount of grip for climbing and a decent amount of glide to keep one’s momentum going.

Titcomb’s notoriously hilly course could be a challenge but, Chris Barstow arrived at the mountain before the team to find that perfect wax recipe. Once tested and perfected it was all hands on deck to get the skis waxed.  Chris Barstow, Rob Raymond, and Tao Smith get best dad awards for getting the team ready.

Mallory Raymond (12:42.4), missing her start slot, didn’t get rattled when sent to the back of the line. Mallory once again took second at the state finals. Lillian Smith (13:49.3) made it to the podium with her 8th place finish. Rosie Barstow (16:02.4) finished a very strong 22nd. Tess Smith (17:31.7), a lady of many interests, gave up a conflicting ski cross race to finish 29th for her Nordic team.

Isla Decato ((18:03.3), always easy to spot with her non-traditional double pompom hat, crossed the finish line 32nd. Vaughn, who had skied his Giant Slalom Finals earlier in the day, cheered on his sister Ceci Ross (24:02.2), who finished 44th. The Lady Rebels placed 3rd as a team; what an accomplishment for these young ladies!

Being an even year, the boys started after the girls. Watching them finish 6th overall on the fast course with fresh snow falling felt like a magical way to end a Nordic season. Bear Otten (14:31.6), who spent the first half of the season playing basketball, finished 27th. Reece Pierce (14:53.9), comfortable skiing alpine and Nordic, raced to a 29th place finish. Kaiden Manjourides (14:55.8), was close behind in 30th place. Davon DeGruttola (17:48.6), probably our most improved skier, finished 47th.

The skiers soon enough will be packing away their skis and breaking out the running shoes and baseball equipment. These are multi-sport athletes; watch for more success stories this spring.