RIPTON — In almost ideal conditions at Rikert Outdoor Center on Saturday, with gently falling snow adding to the atmosphere, the Division II Middlebury Union High School boys’ Nordic ski team finished third in an eight-team, 5-kilometer classic-style race against mostly D-I competition. The Tiger girls took fourth in a six-team race that included four D-I schools.

Freshman Jorgen Pirrung led the Tiger boys by finishing fourth. And all four Tiger scorers — seniors Matthew Berg and Baker Nelson and freshman Gabriel Perchemlides were the others — placed in the top 20 among 70 skiers.

MUHS senior Beth McIntosh won the girls’ race, with junior teammate Mary Harrington close behind in third place in a 52-skier field. Also scoring for the Tiger girls were seniors Lila Cook-Yoder in 17th and Eva Andrews in 37th.

MUHS SKIER EVA Andrews looks ahead after climbing a hilly trail section during Saturday’s Nordic ski racing at Rikert Outdoor Center.
Independent photo/Steve James

Otter Valley independent Luke Calvin finished 21st in the boys’ race. He and teammate Elijah Bagley (41st) train with the Rutland team.

In the girls’ race, Mount Abraham independent June Yates-Rusch had a strong effort, taking 11th, and Vergennes independent Ellie Eckels finished 24th. Both train with the Tiger program.

Because this was the MUHS program’s last home meet of the season, the MUHS teams honored their 18 seniors after the races. Most of those athletes have been part of Tiger teams that have an enviable record of success during the past three years. Tiger girls’ Nordic teams have won three consecutive Division II titles, while the MUHS boys have won once, in 2023, and finished third in 2022 and 2024.

TIGERS GABRIEL PERCHEMLIDES (99) and Baker Nelson (93) ski out of a wooded stretch of trail during Nordic racing on Saturday at Rikert Outdoor Center.
Independent photo/Steve James

Saturday’s boys’ team scores were:

1. Mt. Mansfield 24; 2. Woodstock 31; 3. MUHS 52; 4. St. Johnsbury 73; 5. Mt. Anthony 79; 6. Burlington 104; 7. Champlain Valley 115; and 8. Essex 130. In both the boys’ and girls’ races, Woodstock was the only other D-II team besides MUHS.

The winner’s and local boys’ results and times were:

1. James Underwood, Woodstock, 13:56.3; 4. Jorgen Pirrung, MUHS, 14:44.2; 13. Matthew Berg, MUHS, 15:55; 18. Baker Nelson, MUHS, 16:33.6; 20. Gabriel Perchemlides, MUHS, 16:55.3; 21. Luke Calvin, OV, 17:00.8; 22. Aaron Carr-Perlow, MUHS, 17:18.6; 26. Nate Cook Yoder, MUHS, 17:31.2; 37. Eli Bagley, OV, 18:21.2; 41. Kaden Hammond, MUHS, 18:38; 51. Keil Broderson, MUHS, 19:10.1; 65. Lucas Flinner, MUHS, 21:45.4; and 69. Gabe Schmitt, MUHS, 23:02.4.

TIGERS MEREDITH Carr-Perlow (47) and Sarah Benz (41) crest an uphill stretch during Saturday’s Nordic racing at Rikert Outdoor Center.
Independent photo/Steve James

The girls’ team scores were 1. MMU 36; 2. CVU 39; 3. Woodstock 42; 4. MUHS 47; 5. St. J 64; and 6. Essex 136.

The local girls’ individual results and times were:

1. Beth McIntosh, MUHS, 16:01; 3. Mary Harrington, MUHS, 16:37.2; 11. June Yates-Rusch, Mt. Abe, 18:10; 17. Lila Cook Yoder, MUHS, 19:57.3; 24. Ellie Eckels, VUHS, 21:08.7; 37. Eva Andrews, MUHS, 22:32.6; 38. Meredith Carr-Perlow, MUHS, 22:49.8; 41. Sarah Benz, MUHS, 23:08.9; 49. Margaret Orten, MUHS, 26:06.1; and 51. Anika Heppell, MUHS, 27:07.1.