Goessling wins Nordic boys crown

• victory

Raleigh Goessling of Cloquet-Esko-Carlton raises his arms in victory as he crosses the finish to win first place in the boys classical race in the Minnesota High School Nordic ski meet at Giant's Ridge Thursday. Bob King / rking@duluthnews.com

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Esko senior Raleigh Goessling captured the boys Nordic skiing pursuit title today at Giants Ridge near Biwabik, becoming the first boys skier from the Northland to win an individual title since Duluth East's Anders Osthus in 2001.

Goessling, who competes for Cloquet-Esko-Carlton, had the best time (14 minutes, 30 seconds) in the morning freestyle and then placed fourth in the afternoon classical portion to finish the overall pursuit in 28:41.4. Ben Saxton of Lakeville North was runner-up in 29:03.4.

The Ely boys claimed first in the boys team competition, totaling 364 points to end Forest Lake's reign of four titles in five years. The Rangers were second with 356 points. It marked the first time in six years that a Northland school won the team crown.

Stillwater Area won the girls team title with 382 points. Ely finished third, just a point behind runner-up Wayzata.

Senior Jessie Diggins of Stillwater Area, winner of the individual title as a freshman and sophomore, won again in 15:36. Last year's winner, Annie Hart of St. Paul Academy and Summit, was second in 15:52. Ely senior Kathryn Van Every placed sixth in 17:22.

Posted by: Rick Weegman on 2/11/2010 at 5:31 PM

Tags: breakingnews, sports, ski, esko