TWO HARBORS – The Wolves got the opportunity to compete the “old fashioned” way on Tuesday at the Korkki Invitational and had strong performances from both teams, taking second in the boys and girls competition.

“The course at Korkki Nordic is an old-school, single tracked trail thru the woods which is always fun for the skiers,” said Ely Head Coach Paula Anderson. “There is a lot of falling and losing poles due to the difficulty in passing other skiers on the course.”

The course creates plenty of chaos and it brings out strong performances from skiers who are better at double poling versus skating style.

“The boys were strong in that they placed five skiers ahead of Grand Rapids’ fourth skier,” said Anderson, even as they were edged for the top spot by the larger squad. The boys team placed five skiers in the top 12 spots but it wasn’t enough as Grand Rapids skiers took the top two spots. Team scores were based on the top four finishers for each squad.

Ben Gustafson was Ely’s top boys finisher, taking third overall. He was followed by Jasper Johnston at sixth, Raif Olson eighth, James Schwinghamer tenth, and Ethan Hasz in the twelfth spot.

The girls got a strong performance from their seniors as they led the way taking four of the top 12 spots.

The senior quartet was led by Laura Pasmick who finished fifth with Ryne Prigge seventh, Emma Terwilliger eleventh, and Evelyn Bercher right behind at twelfth.

Next up for Ely is to compete at the Marshall Sprints on Saturday with races starting at 11 a.m.

INDIVIDUAL GIRLS VARSITY FINISHERS

5. Laura Pasmick 0:23:57.6

7. Ryne Prigge 0:24:11.6

11. Emma Terwilliger 0:24:39.9

12. Evelyn Bercher 0:25:02.0

14. Brooke Pasmick 0:25:38.8

17. Kalyssa Eilrich 0:26:01.8

29. Lindy Dalberg 0:29:21.4

31. Anna Nelson 0:30:03.3

INDIVIDUAL BOYS VARSITY FINISHERS

3. Ben Gustafson 0:20:14.7

6. Jasper Johnston 0:21:10.8

8. Raif Olson 0:21:45.4

10. James Schwinghamer 0:21:58.1

12. Ethan Hasz 0:22:26.9

16. Nate Nettifee 0:23:06.4

25. Elijah Olson 0:24:18.5

29. Chase Eilrich 0:25:25.1

36. Henry Dirks 0:27:33.0

GIRLS VARSITY TEAM FINISHERS

1. Duluth East 378

2. Ely 369

3. Grand Rapids 365

4. Proctor/Hermantown 339

5. Duluth Denfield 300

6. Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 296

7. Marshall School 291

8. Two Harbors/Cook County 58

BOYS VARSITY TEAM FINISHERS

1. Grand Rapids 379

2. Ely 377

3. Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 359

4. Marshall School 344

5. Duluth East 332

6. Duluth Denfeld 288

7. Two Harbors/Cook County 68