Bobcat Nordic Standout Norris Continues Hot Streak in Alaska

Thursday, February 9

Anchorage, AK

Montana State University

UAA-5/10K FR

Michael Schallinger, David Norris and Tyler Reinking all placed in the top 10 at the Seawolf Invitational on Thursday. Norris (middle) won the 10-kilometer freestyle event, while Reinking (far right) placed fifth, and Schallinger, tenth.

Bobcat Nordic Standout Norris Continues Hot Streak in Alaska

2/10/2012 11:46:00 AM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing

For the third time this season, Montana State sophomore David Norris won the top spot on the podium, capturing the men’s 10-kilometer freestyle in 24:28.6 to kickoff off the 2012 Seawolf Invitational, Thursday morning. The win marked Norris’ second title on MSU’s Alaska tour.

By: Tom Schulz

For the third time this season, Montana State sophomore David Norris won the top spot on the podium, capturing the men's 10-kilometer freestyle in 24:28.6 to kickoff off the 2012 Seawolf Invitational, Thursday morning. The win marked Norris' second title on MSU's Alaska tour.

Norris, who won the 5K classic at the UAA Invite and placed runner-up in the freestyle, cruised to the Seawolf title outdistancing Colorado's Rune Oedegaard, who clocked 24:42.5.

“David's plan was to start out harder in today's race and hang on,” said MSU head Nordic coach Grethe Hagensen. “As the race went on he had full control and won by 14-seconds.”

The Bobcats also received top ten finishes from Tyler Reinking, fifth, 25:19.1, and Michael Schallinger, tenth, 25:44.4.

The trio accounted for 119 of MSU's 209 points. In addition, they notched the highest score by a men's team by three points over the University of Utah.

Utah leads the Seawolf Invite after three races with 356 points, followed by CU 313, UAA 297, MSU 282, New Mexico 265, Denver 249, and Westminster 71.

The Bobcat women were led by Ase Carlson, who placed eighth overall. Carlson, who was stopped by a moose on the trail at the UAA Invite, finished the Seawolf freestyle in a time of 14:37.1.

Colorado's Eliska Hajkova won the event in 13:52.5.

Rounding out MSU's top three were Jessica Yeaton, tenth, 14:46.0, and Rachelle Kanady, 13th, 15:02.7.

Due to weather conditions, the only alpine event at the Seawolf Invite was the women's giant slalom. Kelly McBroom paced the Bobcats for the second straight day, finishing 14th in a time of 1:07.27.

Also recording points for the Bobcats were Stephanie Irwin, 15th, 1:07.89, and Terra Moran, 25th, 1:09.89.

Other MSU Finishers: (Men's 10K Freestyle) – Sawyer Kesselheim, 14th, 25:53.8; Pat Madden, 19th, 26:45.1. (Women's 5K Freestyle) – Kate Backstrum, 15th, 15:08.0; Cambria McDermott, 17th, 15:11.8; Casey Kutz, 22nd, 15:27.0. (Women's GS) – Jacqueline Lebel, 1:16.50; Marissa Riopelle, DNF, 1st Run.