Siegfrieds Earn National Canoe Honors

POTSDAM - Ellie Siegfried, 14, of Potsdam, recently raced in the American Canoe Association's Whitewater Open Canoe National Championships, winning three awards.

She was awarded the traveling trophy for youngest competitor, as well as winning the mixed Sprint and Downriver competitions. Her partner in the mixed races was her father, Will Siegfried, who also placed 2nd in the solo Downriver race.

The races were held July 14-17 on the Deerfield River in Massachusetts, and included the Zoar Gap rapids. Racers attended from as far away as Michigan and North Carolina.

"The Whitewater Nationals is an experience I will never forget", said Ellie. "My first run down the Zoar Gap was scary, yet thrilling and exhilarating. Next year I hope my Dad and I can travel to North Carolina and compete there."

The Siegfrieds were paddling canoes built at GRB Newman Designs of Canton. The tandem canoe is made of cedar wood strip, and had raced to nine national titles in the 1990s. The solo canoe was new this year, and made of carbon fiber.