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High school Nordic skiers make their way through a pile up Wednesday during the annual Leavitt Duathlon at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner.   Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Student athletes from seven high schools participated in the event that consists of skiing one 2.5-kilometer lap on classic skis and a second lap on freestyle skis while dodging snowballs. “The only rule today is you must have fun,” Leavitt coach Dustin Williamson announced prior to the start of the year-end race. “This race is the highlight of the year,” said Dirigo High School coach Dave Buck.

Maja Zdanowska of Leavitt Area High School puts kick wax on her skis Wednesday prior to the start of the annual Leavitt Duathlon at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner. Zdanowska is an exchange student from Poland. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Mt. Blue High School sophomore Eli Hoeft is pelted with snowballs Wednesday during the annual Leavitt Duathlon at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner.  Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Leavitt Area High School sophomore Tyler Welch puts on his skis Wednesday during the annual Leavitt Duathlon at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner. Student athletes from seven high schools participated in the event that consists of skiing one 2.5-kilometer lap on classic skis and another lap on freestyle skis while dodging snowballs. “The only rule today is you must have fun,” Leavitt coach Dustin Williamson announced prior to the start of the year-end race. “This race is the highlight of the year,” said Dirigo High School coach Dave Buck. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Mt. Blue High School freshman Molly Patterson participates Wednesday during the annual Leavitt Duathlon at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Carter Butterfield of Mt. Abram High School participates Wednesday during the annual Leavitt Duathlon at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner. Butterfield skied the first of two 2.5-kilometer laps backward. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Mt. Blue High School coaches Emmy Held, right, and Shelley Joyce participate Wednesday during the annual Leavitt Duathlon at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Logan Ouellette of Leavitt Area High School participates Wednesday during the annual Leavitt Duathlon at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner. Ouellette is the 2023 Maine Class B state champion in both freestyle and classical events. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Mt. Blue High School sophomore Nora McCourt is pelted with snowballs Wednesday during the annual Leavitt Duathlon at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Jade Haylock of Leavitt Area High School participates Wednesday during the annual Leavitt Duathlon at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Leavitt Area High School sophomore Tyler Welch participates Wednesday while dressed as a chicken during the annual Leavitt Duathlon at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner. Student athletes from seven high schools participated in the event that consists of skiing one 2.5-kilometer lap on classic skis and a second lap on freestyle skis while dodging snowballs. “The only rule today is you must have fun,” Leavitt coach Dustin Williamson announced prior to the start of the year-end race. “This race is the highlight of the year,” said Dirigo High School coach Dave Buck. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Daryn Slover always pulls for the underdog - what would you expect from someone that was raised in Cleveland and lives in Lewiston. He drinks cheap coffee and cheap beer so that he can afford to put his...