(PHOTOS) Edina Nordic Teams Ski at Mesabi East Invitational

Editor's Note: The following was submitted by Geir Johansen, a parent volunteer with the Edina Nordic Ski Team.

The boys and girls Nordic ski teams were up at Giant Ridge in Biwabik, MN on Saturday to compete in the Mesabi East Invitational. Despite being up North, there was a lack of snow and the course was set on the man made snow of Giant Ridge's downhill area and featured some tough climbs.

Competing against the top high school skiers from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, senior Matthew Berntson skied to an impressive sixth place finish in the 5K classic race. He helped lead the Edina boys to a ninth place finish. Senior Matt Rock also skied well and placed 29th in the classic race. In the 5K freestyle race, senior Michael Murney had a great showing and finished 13th, while senior Fumitaka Kikyo rounded out the scoring by finishing 80th.

The Edina girls team placed 22nd, with senior Piper Bain leading the team with an 18th place finish in the 5K freestyle race. Other scorers for Edina were senior Allie Aufderheide (50th) and junior Zoe Horns (90th) in the 5K classic race and senior Maija Johansen (61st) in the 5K freestyle race.

The Mesabi East Invitiational is the largest high school nordic ski race, with 77 teams and nearly 1,200 skiers competing. Full results from the event are available here.

For varsity competition, six skiers race, with the two top finishers in the classic ski race and the two top finishers in the freestyle ski race scoring for the team. JV scoring is similar, however, only four skiers compete for the team.

Here's a full list of Edina's competitors and as well as how they finished in the race:

Varsity Boys (9th Place):

• Matthew Berntson (12th grade) finished 6th in the 5K Classic race 
• Matt Rock (12) finished 29th in the 5K Classic race 
• David Ellenberger (10) disqualified in the 5K Classic race
• Michael Murney (12) finished 13th in the 5K Freestyle race
• Fumitaka Kikyo (12) finished 80th in the 5K Freestyle race
• Syver Johansen (10) finished 83rd in the 5K Freestyle race

JV Boys (13th place):

• Peter Illig (10) finished 20th in the 5K Classic race
• Henry Jarvinen (9) finished 40th in the 5K Classic race
• Tyler Gieseke (12) finished 33rd in the 5K Freestyle race
• Jack Ellenberger (12) finished 34th in the 5K Freestyle race

Varsity Girls (22nd Place):

• Allie Aufderheide (12) finished 50th in the 5K Classic race
• Zoe Horns (11) finished 90th in the 5K Classic race
• Sarah Downey  (11) finished 106th in the 5K Classic race
• Piper Bain (12) finished 18th in the 5K Freestyle race
• Maija Johansen (12) finished 61st in the 5K Freestyle race
• Molly Kuhs (11) finished 96th in the 5K Freestyle race

JV Girls (12th place):

• Elaine Rock (12) finished 30th in the 5K Classic race
• Caitlin Raasch (12) finished 36th in the 5K Classic race
• Patty Weicht (12) finished 23rd in the 5K Freestyle race
• Micaela Connors (12) finished 27th in the 5K Freestyle race