Montana State Men Continue Nordic Domination

Monday, February 6

Anchorage, AK

Montana State University

UAA-10/10K FR

Ase Calrson paced the Bobcat women's Nordic team at the UAA Invite, plaicing 10th in the freestyle on Monday morning.

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

2/6/2012 4:05:00 PM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing

Behind David Norris’s second place finish in the men’s 10-kilometer freestyle event, the Montana State men’s Nordic team placed first in its two event slate at the University of Alaska Anchorage Invitational, Monday morning.

By: Tom Schulz

Behind David Norris's second place finish in the men's 10-kilometer freestyle event, the Montana State men's Nordic team placed first in its two event slate at the University of Alaska Anchorage Invitational, Monday morning.

Also posting top 10 finishes for the Bobcats were Tyler Reinking, sixth, 26:07.9; and Michael Schallinger, seventh, 26:11.4.

Norris, who won Saturday's classic race, finished the freestyle in 25:15.2, just behind individual medalist Miles Havlick of Utah, who covered the course in 25:07.3.

As a team, the Bobcat men notched a two event total 234 points, just out-distancing perennial national powers Colorado (232) and Utah (224) for top honors. Based on a combined men's and women's Nordic and alpine system, Utah leads the team standings after the cross country events with 470 points. The Utes are followed by CU 448, MSU 403, UAA 369, Denver 346 and New Mexico 328.

Ase Carlson paced the Bobcat women in the freestyle race, finishing tenth overall in 31:14.8. She was followed in MSU's top three by Kate Backstrum, 16th, 32:19.5; and Cambria McDermott, 18th, 32:30.3.

Maria Graefnings of UU won the women's crown, covering the 10K course in 29:12.7.

The alpine events will begin on Wednesday with the giant slalom races at Alyeska Ski Resort.

Other MSU Finishers (Freestyle 10 K – Women): Jessica Yeaton, 19th, 32:37.4; Casey Kutz, 20th, 32:40.3; Rachelle Kanady, 21st, 32:48.0. (Freestyle 10K – Men): Sawyer Kesselheim, 13th, 26:32.7; Pat Madden, 16th, 26:59.7.