Norris Wins 5K Classical Event at Alaska-Anchorage Invitational

Saturday, February 4

Anchorage, AK

Montana State University

UAA-5/5K CL

David Norris won the men's title at the UAA Invitational in the classic, Saturday afternoon.

Photo by: Gary Reinking

Norris Wins 5K Classical Event at Alaska-Anchorage Invitational

2/4/2012 10:05:00 PM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State newcomer David Norris captured the individual title at the Alaska-Anchorage Invitational in the five-kilometer classical event for his second podium of the season, covering the course in 14:06.3 to rack-up 50 points and put the Bobcats into third place in the team standings, Saturday afternoon at Kincaid Park.

“David was in seventh place with one kilometer to go,” said MSU Nordic Coach Grethe Hagensen. “He put on the turbo and no one could match his finish. David is best when it matters most.”

The Bobcat men also received top ten finishes from Michael Schallinger, 7th, 14:37.4, and Sawyer Kesselheim, 10th, 14:41.1.

The trio accounted for 115 points, which was second to Colorado's 2-4-6 finish in the event.

“Michael is skiing faster and better every day,” Hagensen said. “The coaches and Michael are very pleased with his classic season this year. He is back to his old classic form.

“Our local freshman and former BSF skier Sawyer Kesselheim went to the next level placing top ten in a Division I event.”

The MSU women's squad was paced by Ase Carlson, who finished fifth in the women's race in a time of 17:14.4.

CU's Eliska Hajkova won the women's crown in 16:34.7.

“Ase placed fifth, her best result of her collegiate career,” Hagensen said. “She has put in a lot of time on her technique and today she was relaxed and efficient.”

After the first event, CU leads with 231 points. The Buffaloes are followed by Utah 228, MSU 208, UAA 187, Denver 171, and New Mexico 157.

The freestyle races will be held on Monday.

Men's 5K Classical (29 collegiate finishers)—1. David Norris, MSU, 14:06.3; 2. Rune Oedegaard, CU, 14:08.0; 3. Miles Havlick, Utah, 14:08.8; 4. Reid Pletcher, CU, 14:33.4; 5. Andrew Dougherty, DU, 14:35.0; 6. Andreas Hoye, CU, 14:36.9; 7. Michael Schallinger, MSU, 14:37.4; 8. Lukas Ebner, UAA, 14:37.9; 9. Tom Smith, Utah, 14:39.0; 10. Sawyer Kesselheim, MSU, 14:41.1. Other MSU finishers: Tyler Reinking, 15th, 14:56.1; Pat Madden, 20th, 15:13.1.

Women's 5K Classical (31 collegiate finishers)—1. Eliska Hajkova, CU, 16:34.7; 2. Maria Graefnings, Utah, 16:44.9; 3. Rose Kemp, Utah, 16:56.4; 4. Jaime Bronga, UAA, 17:06.1; 5. Ase Carlson, MSU, 17:14.4; 6. Linn Klaesson, UNM, 17:15.6; 7. Laura Rombach, UAA, 17:17.2; 8. Parker Tyler, Utah, 17:29.9; 9. Steffi Hiemer, UAA, 17:28.5; 10. Kate Dolan, DU, 17:30.4. Other MSU Finishers: Rachelle Kanady, 12th, 17:51.2; Cambria McDermott, 14th, 18:02.6; Casey Kutz, 18th, 18:07.5; Kate Backstrum, 25th, 18:28.0.