By Rob Potter
BRIDGEVILLE — January 30, 2004 – Skiers from six high schools braved extremely cold temperatures and a biting wind last Saturday in the annual Manny Bogner Ski Race at Holiday Mountain.
More than 60 athletes from Fallsburg, Goshen, Liberty, Monticello, Sullivan West and Yorktown competed in the event.
In the boys’ race, six Sullivan County skiers placed in the top 10. Monticello’s Ryan Meddaugh won the race in 32.63 seconds. Bjorn Egenes of Fallsburg took third place, skiing the course in 34.65 seconds.
The others to finish in the top 10 were Monticello’s Ryan Sonnenschein (6th, 35.90), Liberty’s Justin Garritt (7th, 36.68), Liberty’s Kevin McGuire (8th, 38.47) and Sullivan West’s Karl McCormack (9th, 38.90).
Results for other county skiers were as follows: 11. William Van Hage, Monticello, 39.30; 13. Jake Burns, Monticello, 41.60; 14. Paul Meddaugh, Monticello, 42.04; 15. Jared Goldstein, Monticello, 42.05; 16. Matt Green, Liberty, 42.07; 18. David Luczyski, Fallsburg, 42.64; 23. Tyler Laufersweiler, Monticello, 44.76; 24. Greg Brewer, SW, 45.84; 26. Dylan Alexander, Fallsburg, 47.29; 28. Matt DeCristafaro, SW, 47.78; 29. Jason Lubniewski, Monticello, 48.00; 32. Scott Hamlin, Liberty, 48.63; 33. Dan Green, Liberty, 50.16; 34. Dave Olson, Liberty, 56.16.
In the girls’ race, the best local finish was recorded by Sullivan West’s Katie Thelman. She placed third with a time of 37.96 seconds.
Three Monticello Lady Panthers also posted times in the top 10. Jaclyn Bunch placed 6th in 38.75, Kristen VanHage was 7th in 38.91 and Rachael Huffman finished 10th in 43.03.
Other results for county skiers were as follows: 12. Samantha Adrians, Fallsburg, 45.25; 13. Kerri Benzenberg, Liberty, 45.52; 14. Dayna Halprin, Fallsburg, 46.65; 15. Erica Haupt, Monticello, 47.44; 18. Ashley Hunter, Fallsburg, 49.90; 19. Rebecca Ramirez, Liberty, 51.41; 21. Katie Mahan, Monticello, 51.97; 26. Esti Ross, Fallsburg, 59.33.
Unfortunately one of the area’s top skiers, Monticello’s Laura Ferranti, fell while making a run. She injured her knee and did not return to the competition.