Hans Fischer was named the coach of the year as the University of Toronto Varsity Blues competed at the 2010 OUA Nordic skiing championships, February 20-21, at Monora Park in Orangeville, Ont. The Blues women finished fifth, while the men were sixth overall.

Life science student Patrick Monette (Oakville, Ont.) led the Blues in men’s 10km classic, placing 17th, in a time of 31:38.7. The next Varsity Blues to cross the finish line were Ian Weir (Stratford, Ont.) and Christ McKnight (Shediac, N.B.).

Monette, McKnight and Weir then teamed up for Toronto and placed ninth in the men’s relay division with a final time of 50:08.0.

In the men’s 15km freestyle race, Monette competed well yet again, placing 20th with a final time of 46:03.2. Weir followed close behind in 25th. McKnight and Graham Morse (Ottawa) followed in 32nd and 34th places, respectively.

In women’s action, Kate Sauks of Owen Sound, Ont. finished 22nd in 5km classic with a time of 18:31.2. Erin Mallinger (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) was not far behind in 24th.

Both went on to lead the Blues in the women’s 10km freestyle - Mallinger in 24th and Sauks placing 26th. Mary Qui (Bolton, Ont.) finished, Hillary Mallinger (Sault Ste. Marie) and Megan Lewicki (Vancouver) also competed for Toronto.

Both Erin and Hilary Mallinger teamed up with Sauks to finish ninth in the women’s 7.5km relay in a time of 27:33.0.

Standings 

Individual Results 

Relay Results