Sports Digest

Hodag Nordic Challenge canceled due to lack of snow

The Hodag Nordic ski team’s lone home race of the season, the Hodag Nordic Challenge, at the Cedric A. Vig Outdoor Classroom has been canceled due to a lack of snow, race organizers announced Wednesday.

The event, which was slated to attract more than 400 high school and middle school skiers from around Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, was scheduled to take place Jan. 20 and 21. 

“Mother Nature did not deliver enough snow yesterday, and there is not enough in the forecast for us to hold the quality race everyone expects from us,” the Northwoods Nordic Ski Club, organizers of the race, stated in a Facebook post announcing the cancellation. “We will all be doing our snow dances and wish everyone all the best for the rest of the cross-country ski season.”

The race was the sixth of the season canceled due to a lack of snow for the Hodag Nordic ski team. That includes the Lakeland Invite that had been rescheduled for yesterday and this coming Saturday’s Hinderbinder in Rib Lake. The Hodags have picked up a replacement race, and will compete in the Seeley Hill Classic at the American Birkebeiner trailhead in Cable on Saturday. 

Youth soccer underway at Hodag Dome

The Hodag Soccer Club is holding youth soccer sessions for boys and girls in grades 3-5 every Monday through the end of February at the Hodag Dome. The sessions are held from 6 to 7 p.m. and are open to all skill levels.

“Beginners and experienced players will improve their game with our skills sessions and scrimmaged, working up to competition,” the club stated in a flyer promoting the sessions. 

Shin guards are recommended for players and cleats are optional. Participation will be capped at 40 participants. For more information, or to register your child, visit HodagSoccer.com or email [email protected].

Hodag Soccer Club annual meeting to be held Sunday

The annual meeting for the Hodag Soccer Club will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14 in the Hodag Dome Team Room. 

Those interesting in helping the club or being a part of the board are encouraged to attend.

“The Hodag Soccer Club (HSC) has been a hub of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and skill-building, fostering a sense of community beyond the field. However, we find ourselves at a crucial juncture where we require your support to ensure the continued success and longevity of the club,” the club stated on its website. “We invite you to help shape the future of the Hodag Soccer Club and make a lasting difference to our children and the Rhinelander soccer program. We invite you to consider becoming an active volunteer on the Club’s Board of Directors. Our board meets monthly and plays a vital role in making strategic decisions, shaping the club’s direction, and ensuring its sustainability. Without dedicated board members, the club’s very existence could be at stake.”

In addition to being a booster program for the Rhinelander High School and James Williams Middle School boys’ and girls’ soccer teams, the club oversees youth recreational and competitive soccer in the area. 

For more information visit HodagSoccer.com.

RHS/Northland Pines Alpine ski sees more schedule changes

A lack of snow nixed what was to be the opening round of the Northern Conference season for the Rhinelander/Northland Pines Alpine Ski team at Snow River in Wakefield, Mich. on Tuesday. 

A make-up date for the race was not immediately announced. It marked the third scheduled race at the team has had canceled or postponed. 

Meanwhile the remainder of the Northern Conference schedule has been moved around from what was initially announced, according to a copy of the Hodags’ competition schedule provided to the River News on Tuesday. The remainder of the conference race dates are as follows:

• Monday, Jan. 15: Christie Mt. 

• Monday, Jan. 22: Granite Peak

• Tuesday, Jan. 30: Mt. Ashwabay

• Saturday, Feb. 3: Ski Brule