The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s and women’s Nordic ski teams both placed sixth at the 2009 OUA championships this weekend (Feb. 21-22) hosted by the Waterloo Warriors in Halliburton, Ont.

Aaron Barter (Almonte, Ont.) led the way for the Blues men’s team, with an eighth-place finish in the men’s 10km skate race (25:36.7) and a ninth-place finish in the 15km classic (50:08.9). Barter was named a 2008-09 OUA all-star for his efforts.

Todd Inkila (Thunder Bay, Ont.) also had impressive results, placing 23rd in the skate race and 28th in the classic event on Sunday.

Barter, Inkila and Andrew Bradbury (Uxbridge, Ont.) teamed up to place eighth in the men’s 3x5km skate relay.

In women’s action, Erin Mallinger (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) finished 14th in both the 5km skate race and 10km classic event. Mallinger crossed the finish line in the 5km skate in a time of 15:43.2 and finished the 10km classic event in a time of 39:45.6.

Other Blues performances in the 5km skate race included Mary Qiu (Bolton, Ont.), Tanya Hauck (Caledon East, Ont.) and Kate Sauks (Owen Sound, Ont.) placing 25th, 26th and 30th, respectively.

In Sunday’s classic race, Mallinger’s teammate Huack finished the race in in 25th, Jane Rumball (Fredricton, Ont.) in 26th, Qiu in 27th, Sauks in 28th and Juslia Sisler (St. Catharines, Ont.) in 30th.

In the women’s 3x2.5 km skate relay Mallinger, Qiu and Huack also picked up an eight-place finish.

The University of Lakehead Thunderwovles came away with their fifth consecutive men's and women's titles. 

The Varsity Blues will be sending their top athletes to the 2009 Canadian cross country ski championships, March 8-13, in Duntroon, Ont.