Submitted by Jeanne Wright, Head Coach Cook County School Nordic Ski Team
Who doesn’t love a good story? Well, here it is…complete with underdogs, giants and heroes. Cook County High School Girls Nordic Ski Team took 2nd place in Sections and is heading to State. Let’s start with naming the team, setting the stage and providing some context about how this Cinderella wins despite challenging odds.
Girl’s team: Emma Crook & Mary June Wharton (seniors), Quincy Hurth, Ezme Mundell and Lindy Dix with alternate, Sparrow Schmidt.
The stage: All season, our small team of 16 have been working hard and noticeably improving. Quietly, coaches wondered if this might be the year that our team could topple Ely (a powerhouse of 50+ skiers). To outsiders the odds might have seemed insurmountable as they watched our team arrive at meets in our bouncy school bus and park next to the large teams’ coach buses, or witness our little waxing tent with its beloved homemade Cook County Nordic banners set up in the shadows of decked-out waxing trailers. In fact, many might not even give us a second glance.
But in the end all that matters is that you come to the start line with your heart on your sleeve. Focused on only those things that are in your control. All we can ask is that you give your best effort possible, in that moment. And when the dust settled, that’s just what our team did.
Yes, we hoped and wondered if our team could possibly topple Goliath. But they weren’t in this alone – when the girls walked to the startline, they brought with them the amazing support of the entire team, coaches, parents, bus drivers, Pincushion Ski & Run Club, ISD 166 & GES – those are just a few of our behind-the-scene heroes.
And then our girls were off – competing with heart, determination and the joy of skiing. Every second counted for this win from the Team Sprinters making it into the finals and taking 6th to the battle of our 3 pursuit skiers passing a total 7 skiers during the classic pursuit race. These results ended with Cook County tied with the Ely Nordic team. A tie breaker (which team’s top 3 skiers had the combined fastest time) determined that Cook County Girls’ team heads to State!
It’s a story as old as the hills, but updated with glitter & skis – Cinderella, stole the show.
Girl’s team: 2nd place (Duluth East team – 1st, Ely Wolves – 3rd)
Pursuit race:
Emma Crook: 6th place
Ezme Mundell: 10th place
Quincy Hurth: 12th place
Team Sprint: Mary June Wharton & Lindy Dix: 6th place
