The 2023 Mountain Valley Conference Nordic Championships opened at Black Mountain in Rumford with the 5K freestyle mass start. 
In the boys race, Jeffrey Warnock of Mt. Abram became the 2023 MVC Freestyle champion. His winning time was 14:10.8. Samuel Geissenger of Spruce Mtn was second (15:36.6) and Carter Butterfield of Mt. Abram was third (16:06.2). Other top 10 finishers were Liam Waring of Orono (16:19.8), Ben Arsenault of Orono (16:51.1), Wil Stoner of Orono (18:40.8), Lyle Hering of Mt. Abram (19:07.5), Kayan Degruttola of Telstar (19:28.8), David Packard of Mountain Valley (20:12.1), and Mathew Pepe of Spruce Mountain (21:03.9).
In the girls race. Orono High School took the top 4 spots. Ruth White defended her title to become the 2023 MVC Freestyle champion. Her winning time was 15:06.9. Teammates Clara White was second (15:44.3) and Megan Gerbi was third (18:46.7). Also finishing in the top 10 were Maureen Tyne of Orono (20:14.9), Lida Kanoti of Old Town (20:35.9), Ella Akers of Telstar (20:45.7), Phoebe Dow of Winthrop (21.02.4), Brooke Buotte of Mtn. Valley (21.08.5), Hannah Perkins of Spruce Mtn. (21:31.4) and Sophie Blanco of Winthrop (24:27.5)
The Orono boys and girls take the lead after day 1. Day 2 competition will occur on Saturday with the classical pursuit at Titcomb Mtn. in Farmington.