The New York State Championships for Nordic Skiing took place in Lake Placid, and it was an unforgettable two-day event that brought together some of the most talented high school athletes in the state. Among the competitors were three Scotia-Glenville High School students: Erin Smith, Kiera MacIntosh, and John Bednarek.
This was a milestone for all three students, as they had worked hard to qualify for the event. For seniors John and Erin, this was their third consecutive year qualifying for the state championships, while Kiera qualified for the first time as a freshman. Their efforts were a testament to their commitment to the sport. Nordic skiing is a physically demanding sport that challenges athletes both mentally and technically, and the competitors had to be at their very best to succeed.
On Monday, the individuals raced in the “skate” style. In the girls 7.5K Skate Race, Erin Smith finished in 22nd place out of 48 competitors, while Kiera MacIntosh finished 24th. In the boys 7.5K Skate Race, John Bednarek finished 25th out of 47.
On Tuesday, it was time for the relay races in the “classic” style. Kiera and Erin were part of the Section 2 “C” team and finished 8th out of the 16 relay teams in the race. John was part of the Section 2 “A” team, and they finished 2nd out of the 16 teams, winning NYS Medals and a spot on the podium.
The success of these three SG students is a source of pride for the entire Scotia-Glenville community, especially the high school principal, Peter Bednarek, who was particularly proud of his son, John, for earning a spot on the “A” Team for the section based on his sectional race a few weeks ago. “Getting to watch him compete for a medal today in his final race was so exciting,” said Principal Bednarek. “Our Nordic program is strong, and Coach Linck has done a great job with our student-athletes. I am especially grateful to have had the chance to cheer for my son and see him finish out his high school career at the State Meet.”
