M’CHIGEENG—The Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) Mustangs team won the North Shore Secondary School Association (NSSSA) alpine ski championship earlier this month.
“This is the first alpine ski banner the school has ever won,” stated Lara Pennie, Mustangs ski coach. “We put Manitoulin on the map, sweeping it clear. All of our competitors ended up placing within the top four in their divisions.”
The Mustangs took part in the NSSSAA championship at the Mount Dufour Ski Hill in Elliot Lake earlier this month.
Grace Pennie and Jack Pennie were the top female and male in the slalom category.
In the individual female slalom category, Addie Gray finished second, while the Mustang boys took not only first place but claimed second to fourth places as well. Finishing second was Alan Wilkin, TJ Green and Marcus Otasquiab.
In the giant slalom division, Grace Pennie again took top spot with Addie Gray second in the female division. On the boys’ side, the MSS team took all four top spots with Jack Pennie first, Alan Wilkin second, TJ Green third and Marcus Otasquiab in fourth place.
Mustang athletes also did very well in the snowboarding division. Xavi Mara took second place with Tobi Madrigal in fifth.
“We got the (alpine ski) program started last year and took part in one race just to get our feet wet,” said Ms. Pennie.
The Mustangs took part in the Northern Ontario (NOSSA) championships this past Friday, again in Elliott Lake. The Mustangs boys team placed fourth overall. Jack Pennie was second in the slalom first, run and third in the giant slalom. He placed third overall.
Grace Pennie, on the MSS girls team finished fourth overall, individually.
The MSS girls team finished in fourth place. Individually, Grace Pennie was fifth in the slalom and fourth in the giant slalom.
