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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

Panthers off to the races ahead of Middlebury Carnival

Middlebury is coming off its second straight carnival win at the Williams Carnival on Feb. 14-15. The streak couldn’t have come at a better time. 

The men’s nordic team posted strong results as Peter Wolter ’21 placed 4th in the 10k classical event and Samuel Hodges ’22 followed closely with a 12th place finish. In the only relay of the season, the men placed 7th. 

Women’s nordic also displayed their consistent dominance with three top 10 finishes. Alexandra Lawson ’21, Sophia Laukli ’23, and Annika Landis ’20 finished 2nd, 4th, and 8th, respectively. These three also won the 3x5 relay race decisively, with the next team finishing over a minute later.

Laukli reflected on her quick transition into such a successful team.

“It’s exciting to think that we won two carnivals in a row because that hasn’t been done by Midd in a very long time. Coming in as a freshman and having such a strong squad has been super motivating. I’m pumped that I have the next three years to continue our success,” she said. 

Despite stellar individual performances, this was a team effort. The alpine team held their own, with some career best finishes for multiple racers. Day one saw Tim Gavett ’22 and Erik Arvidsson ’21 tied for 1st place and Michel Macedo ’22 finished in 5th, a career best in their Giant Slalom race. On the second day, three men finished in the top six for the Slalom race. Justin Alkier ’21 won the Slalom race for the third time this season and Arvidsson and Gavett placed 4th and 6th, respectively.

The alpine women put in some incredible times as well. Nina Reichhelm ’23 and Katie Utter ’20 recorded career best times and placed 5th and 7th, respectively, in Giant Slalom. In Slalom, Lucia Bailey ’21 finished in 3rd and Emma Hall ’23 got her first career top 10 finish for Midd, placing 9th.

The teams have a week off before they host the Middlebury Carnival on Feb. 28-29th. 

Rebecca Clark ’23 relayed the team’s goals for the upcoming bye week.

“Most of the team is going to take the weekend off and get some needed rest so that everyone is healthy, energetic and really fired up going into Midd Carnival,” said Clark. 

The upcoming bye weekend should definitely provide such a break for the athletes. Confidence is high and excitement fills the campus in anticipation of the home races. It should be an outstanding weekend to be a Panther. 


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