The Middlebury ski team sits in third place after the first day of the Saint Michael's Carnival. The Panthers were led by a first-place finish by the women in the giant slalom (GS). Competition continues Saturday with the alpine team competing at Smuggler's Notch and the Nordic squad taking to the course at Sleepy Hollow. 
 
On the Nordic side, Kate Oldham led the way for the women's team, finishing the 10K freestyle in fourth with a time of 27:53.5. Avery Ellis was next for Middlebury, placing 29th with a clocking of 30:18.2. Quincy Massey-Bierman completed the course with a time of 31:21.5, good for 42nd. 
 
Sam Hodges was the first Panther to cross the finish line, clocking in at 25:25.0 to place 19th. Logan Moore was right behind in 21st place with a time of 25:26.2. Will Nemeth finished two spots back in 23rd, crossing the finish line in 25:37.4. 
 
The Bailey siblings led the way on the alpine side as the top finishers for both the men and the women.
 
Axel Bailey finished in a tie for fifth place with a two-run time of 1:40.89. Charlie Lang was next, placing 14th with a combined clocking of 1:41.61. Matt Austin finished in a tie for 37th with a combined time of 1:42.56. 
 
Lucia Bailey earned runner-up honors with a combined time of 1:44.06. Alexandra Cossette was right behind, finishing in third with a two-run time of 1:44.10. Mika Anne Reha was next for Middlebury, placing 11th with a combined clocking of 1:45.60.