Nordic skiing is a challenging sport, but Saturday’s New Hampshire Coaches Series classic race posed extra challenges.
First, there was the venue change just two days before the race, moving from nicely groomed race complex at Gunstock to the tough hills at Plymouth Regional High School. Second were the fluctuating temperatures dipping just above and just below freezing, making waxing a frustrating chore.
Finally, there was the competition. Public high school Nordic teams, private school teams and ski clubs from all over the state compete against each other in the N.H. Coaches Series each year.
As Concord Nordic coach Sam Evans-Brown put it, “racers who were really mentally tough soldiered on.”
It turns out Concord has a mentally tough team.
Competing against the best from all over the state, the Tide put themselves in a good position to be near the top of the team standings come Race 2 of the two-part Coaches Series.
Concord’s Gavin Graham finished seventh overall in the classic 5K in 15 minutes, 16 seconds, and the second best among public high school competitors.
Ryan Devine (17th), Eben Bragg (20th) and Brady Rice (87th) were the other Tide scorers.
Stratton Mountain School’s Jack Lange (14:17) was the overall winner and Gilford’s Mitchell Townsend (fifth, 15:00) was the fastest public school racer.
Conditions were better during the boys’ race, but deteriorated halfway through the girls’ race due to the increase in temperature to above freezing.
“It was tricky waxing, and in classic it often comes down to wax which can be frustrating for kids,” Evans-Brown said. “The waxing really suffered, which makes it difficult to climb up hills.”
The Concord girls placed four skiers in the top 40 in the less than ideal conditions with Katie Watt (13th, 18:31), Johanne Nichols (23rd), Maggie Cooper (34th) and Mathea Graham (36th) scoring for Concord.
Team results are not yet calculated since the prep school and ski club racers not competing for the team title need to be parsed out, but Evans-Brown has a good idea of where his team fits in – and who Concord’s top competitors are.
The girls’ side has a pretty clear top four, with Concord in the mix with Kearsarge, Hopkinton and Hanover.
Kearsarge’s Lili Baer won the 5K classic in 17:39 and had fellow Cougars Marlia Richer (sixth) and Jenna Bears (25th) in the top 25.
Hopkinton also had a solid pack up front with Emma Rothe (11th, 18:27), Lily Sabol (16th), Frances Trafton (18th) and Catherine Westbrook (37th) scoring for the Hawk girls.
On the other hand, “the guys’ side is a little more open,” according to Evans-Brown.
He expects Hanover to be the top team, with Fall Mountain, Lebanon, Kearsarge, Gilford and Kennett towards the top.
Evans-Brown expects Hanover might be a little out of reach for his boys’ squad, but Race 2 – a skate race – on Feb. 22 at White Mountains Regional High School will play to the Tide’s strength.
“When I think of our top four for both the girls and boys, of those eight kids, I think at least six of them are stronger skate skiers than classic.”
Other top individuals on the boys’ side were Hopkinton’s Theodore Mollano (12th, 15:40), Michael Eggers-Emerson (49th), Parker Wuellenweber (62nd) and Will Chapin (100th), and Bow’s Oliver Dolcino (40th), Michael Pelletier (59th), Konrad Kremzner (79th) and Riley King (80th).
Bow 10, Man. Central/West 1
Key players: Bow – Jake Mielcarz (5 goals), Ben Tobeler (2 goals), Blake Scarinza (goal), CJ Smethurst (goal), Dominic Jurcins (goal), Brian Carter (goalie)
Highlights: The Falcons had a commanding victory on Saturday, their second win in the past three games.
Records: Bow 4-6; Man. Central/West 0-9
Bow 56, Plymouth 35
Key players: Bow – Madison Speckman (12 points, 5 steals, 2 assists), Bella LaPerle (7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists), Ellie Pingee (7 points), Courtney Evans (6 points), Alex Larrabee (6 rebounds, 3 steals), Taylor Burnham (4 rebounds, 4 steals)
Highlights: The Falcons scored 28 points in each half and Evans scored all six of hers in the fourth quarter.
Coach’s quote: “Offensively, Bow shot the ball very well and kept up the energy on the defensive side of the ball.” – Bow assistant Al Douglas
Records: Bow 7-5; Plymouth 3-7
Boys’ Basketball
John Stark 62, Plymouth 39
Key players: John Stark – Christian Barr (35 points, 25 rebounds, 5 steals), Kayden Easter (11 points, 11 rebounds), Jayden Sheppard (11 points, 3 assists)
Highlights: The Generals outscored the Bobcats 23-8 in the fourth to secure the win on Friday. Hunter Patterson drew two big charges that helped the Generals gain momentum after they entered the final frame with an eight-point lead. Barr played huge, Sheppard showed a lot of toughness in plays and Easter had nine points in the fourth quarter.
Coach’s quote: “I was very proud of how the boys closed out the game tonight. A lot of guys stepped up and obviously Christian had a huge game. Plymouth is young but coach Sullivan had them playing tough and Plymouth is always a tough place to play. It was a big win for us as we head into the second half of the season.” – John Stark’s Mike Smith
Records: John Stark 3-7; Plymouth 0-8
Somersworth 55, Hopkinton 52
Key players: Hopkinton – Kevin Newton-Delgado (15 points), Michael Baer (12 points), Shepyrd Murdough (8 points), Owen Milchick (7 points); Somersworth – Luke Monesmith (15 points), Jacob Hamilton (12 points)
Highlights: The Hawks jumped out to an early 16-5 lead in the first quarter on Friday night, ending the frame with an 18-11 advantage, but Somersworth rallied to tie it at 18 in the second. The Hilltoppers led 31-28 at halftime, but Hopkinton regained the lead through the third quarter (43-40) thanks to a pair of 3s from Newton-Delgado. Somersworth sealed the win in the fourth quarter thanks to scoring from Monesmith (seven points in the fourth quarter) and Hamilton (five points).
Coach’s quote: “We came up a little short tonight on the road against a tough Somersworth team. We started off strong and had some moments of great basketball. We have to start to be able to put together a complete game down the stretch as we enter February with consistent play from all.” – Hopkinton’s Stephen Signor
Records: Somersworth 8-3; Hopkinton 8-3
Concord 4-6
Key players: Concord – James LeMahieu (1st 200 IM, 3d 100 fly), ; Bow – Glenn Lewis (2nd 100 free), Andrew Conley (2nd 100 breast, 5th 50 free), Ethan Rychwalski (4th 50 free, 4th 100 breast)
Highlights: Despite only have two boys compete, the Tide still beat nearly half of its opponents in an 11-team meet at Kearsarge on Friday night.
Coach’s quote: “The boys are a lot of fun to work with. James is lining up for states and appears ready to do some damage.” – Concord’s Bill and Maureen Quinn
Concord 8-1-1
Key players: Concord – Lexi Quinn (2nd 200 free), Lauren Dusavitch (2nd 100 free), Grace Qiu (4th 100 breast); Hopkinton – Sydney Stockwell (1st 100 back, 1st 200 free), Emma Hall (1st 200 IM, 1st 100 free), Cailey Stockwell (1st 500 free, 2nd 50 free), Sophia Staples-Roy (3rd 100 fly); Bow – Sarah Guerrette (1st 50 free, 1st 100 fly), Rebecca Klements (1st 100 breast)
Highlights: The Tide bested all but two of the 10 teams it faced in a meet Friday night hosted by Kearsarge. The 400 yard freestyle relay of Quinn, Dusavitch, Catie Gaudette and Qiu finished second, and the 200 freestyle relay of Quinn, Gaudette, Dusavitch and Charlotte Goble finished third. The Stockwell sisters, Emma Hall and Sophia Staples-Roy formed the winning 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays for Hopkinton.
Coach’s quote: “Another great team effort tonight. We are not a real big team but we can cover the events and pick up points everywhere. Very proud of the girls. We have made a lot of progress this season.” – Concord’s Bill and Maureen Quinn