Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club racers left quite an impression on their fellow competitors and organizers at the Ontario Midget Championships held at the Walden Cross Country Fitness Club on Saturday, March 10 and Sunday, March 11. On the race course, 13 different racers won a combined 28 medals.

Off the race course, organizers praised our club for their enthusiasm, positive support to all racers and awarded our Club the Participation Award.

Saturday's events consisted of a morning Classic race and an afternoon pursuit style Skate race. Medal winners were:

Mini-midget Male     Classic      Skate     Pursuit
Liam Ortiz                  Silver         Bronze    Silver
William Stewart          Bronze       Silver      Bronze

Midget Female         Classic      Skate    Pursuit
Catherine Mallinger     Gold           Bronze   Silver
Frances Mallinger       Bronze

Juvenile Female      Classic       Skate    Pursuit
Hilary Ortiz                                   Gold

Juvenile Male          Classic       Skate
Andrew Barbeau         Gold           Gold
Spencer Hogan          Bronze        Silver

Sunday morning brought the 3 person relay event. Soo Finnish had a team on the podium for each category.

Girls Team of Catherine Mallinger, Frances Mallinger and Adriane Mallinger won the Gold

Boys Team of Jack Carlyle, Liam Ortiz and Brandon Desrosiers won the Bronze

Mixed Team of Brian Irvine, William Stewart, and Audrey Steele won the Silver

Juvenile Team of Andrew Barbeau, Spencer Hogan and Vivienne Steele won the Gold

Hilary Ortiz, as a member of an unofficial team, won a Silver

Our Special Olympian, Rachelle Barbeau, stood alone in her class winning both the morning and afternoon races.