After a 13 year hiatus from the podium at the OFSAA nordic ski championships, the St. Marys DCVI Salukis celebrated with the junior girls capturing the bronze in Midland in the nordic team event.  
With all competitors in peak form, St. Marys edged out the competition from Mayfield by 11 points to reach medal standings.
The junior girls team came into the event with no expectations, as they were represented by four rookie skiers and one second year skier.
Over the 4km course, veteran skier Samantha Kerekes was overcome by emotion, surprising even herself with a seventh place finish, a significant accomplishment with 142 competitors in her field.
Grade 9 skier Lauren Aarts was not far behind Kerekes, placing 24th, followed by Kayla Hotson, 45th, Jordan Stroud 71st, and Ann Gibson, 95th.
As for the junior boys, Lucas Jeffrey and Hayden Droog competed as individual competitors. For both it was their first OFSAA experience with Lucas placing 90th and Hayden 139th in a field of over 150 skiers.
The senior girls comprised of five skiers, Romy Scheele, Loes Borgijink, Yvonne Aarts, Nicole Barber and Deslie Scheele.  Scheele lead the pack with a 55th individual finish, giving the team a 13th place result overall out of the 22 teams represented in their division.  
Coach Ford and Wrigley said they were both proud of the entire team, noting the skiers gelled together well, and often times when work or school prevented them from joining in on the team practice, they would take the initiative and practice together on their own.  
“It was one of the most committed teams that I have taken to an OFSAA event, and it showed in their results,” said Wrigley. “They had the opportunity to practice six days a week, and their hard work and training paid off.”
The team thanks Dave Ford for his unwavering support. Even though his daughters, former Salukis skiers, have now all completed university, Ford grooms immaculate trails for the team to use on his property north of Science Hill Golf Course. He loves working with the athletes, and shows every bit of pride and joy, as if they were his own children.