The top 237 Boys and Girls Nordic skiers in Minnesota gathered in Biwabik, Minnesota for the annual Minnesota State High School League Cross Country Skiing state meet on Feb. 13. The conditions were mediocre: it wasn’t too cold or windy, but it was snowing and the snow was not very fast. Nevertheless, three St. Paul Academy and Summit School students got the opportunity to race in the state meet.

The race was tough, consisting of a 5k skate style race in the morning and a 5k classic style race just a few hours later. The state meet was held at Giants Ridge, a big mountain that also has alpine skiing hills. This course was a lot more difficult than the courses the regular conferences races are held on.

Junior Ellen McCarthy, the Tri-Metro 2014 Individual Pursuit Champion and State Meet veteran, got 46th place in the girl’s race. Eighth grader Val Hart placed 99th out of 120 skiers. Junior Mike Destache got 78th place in the boy’s race out of 117 skiers.