Rumford, Maine - The Nordic Ski team opened their 2025 EISA Carnival season Friday at Black Mountain of Maine for the Freestyle Sprint segment of the Bates Carnival. With four athletes in the top-19 for the men, and three in the top-23 for the women, both squads placed sixth in the 11-team event.
Lola Villafranco (headline photo) led the way for Colby with a career-best 12th place. She jumped five spots in the sprint heats after qualifying in 17th.
Lydia Kraker celebrated a stellar first carnival in 21st, and
Maddie Hooker was close behind in 23rd.
On the men's side
Clint Macy posted a career-best 13th place finish followed by
Matous Matousek in 16th,
Isak Nightingale in 18th, and
Taiga Moore in 19th. Matousek posted a terrific time in the qualifier, crossing the line in 9th. Moore owned the largest improvement in the heats for the Mules after qualifying in 25th.
After the EISA had to make significant race adjustments due to lack of snow, head coach
Tracey Cote reflected on the day. "The first race is always challenging and especially a fast and hard sprint. I was excited to see some different skiers emerge for us and overall I think we are starting in a really great spot for the season!"
The Mules take back to the trails Saturday for the 15k Freestyle.
