Photo by: Neil Hetherington
MSU Skiers Sixth at Colorado Invitational, Nordic Fine-Tunes at US Nationals
1/9/2013 1:59:00 PM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing, Skiing
The Montana State ski team sits in sixth place after the opening day of the Spencer James Nelson Memorial hosted by the University of Colorado. Sophomore Stephanie Irwin had the top finish for the Bobcats, finishing 13th overall in the women’s giant slalom event.
The Montana State ski team sits in sixth place after the opening day of the Spencer James Nelson Memorial hosted by the University of Colorado. Sophomore Stephanie Irwin had the top finish for the Bobcats, finishing 13th overall in the women's giant slalom event.
The MSU women's alpine squad posted 75.5 points in its first race of the winter. Also contributing to the Bobcat total were Terra Moran, 16th, and Emily Danza, 18th.
Denver's Kristine Haugen won the women's giant slalom event in 1:59.52.
The MSU men's squad was led by Michael Radford, who placed 18th overall. He was followed in Montana State's top three by Michael Mackie, 22nd, and Sam Monsen, 32nd.
Denver's Max Mamo won the men's giant slalom title with a two-run clocking of 1:53.84.
The Pioneers sit atop the standings after the giant slalom with 240.5 points. DU is followed by New Mexico 213, Colorado 191, Utah 186, Alaska Anchorage 167, MSU 140.5, Westminster 125 and Colorado Mountain College 20.
On Monday, Irwin had one of her best outing as a Bobcat, finishing fifth overall in the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association giant slalom qualifier. She notched a two run time of 1:57.83. Sophomore Kelly McBroom also had a top ten performance, placing 10th in a time of 1:58.64.
David Owsley had the men's top performance in the qualifier, finishing 20th in a clocking of 1:56.24.
The Bobcat Nordic team will open its collegiate circuit at the Colorado Invitational on Saturday with the freestyle event.
The MSU Nordic squad had its final pre-collegiate tune-up at the United States Cross Country Nationals last weekend. Bobcat standout David Norris placed third in the 30-kilometer classic race.
As part of the US nationals, a College Cup was awarded, with MSU finishing third, its highest place in team history. Norris was named the most outstanding male performer.
“It's good for David, NCAA, and MSU skiing,” said Nordic Head Coach Chad Andersen. “David is a great example of the level of success you can have on the national and international circuit while attending college.
“For the team, it's a good start to the season,” Andersen said. “The team finishes are a good indicator of fitness and what is to come. We are looking to keep skiing faster and come into the NCAA championships on top.”
In the classic sprint, Jessica Yeaton qualified for senior heats. Annie Liotta just missed out on senior heats, but moved on in the junior races, where she eventually skied away in the final for a junior win. Kate Backstrum also notched a personal best in the sprints.
In the 10/15k freestyle, Yeaton finished 17th overall and sixth in the U23 division. Liotta just missed a top 30 in the race, but was the sixth fastest junior. Norris finished ninth overall and second at U23, while redshirt Sawyer Kesselheim was 16th overall and the fastest junior. Pat Madden also just missed a top 30 finish, placing tenth in U23, a personal best.
MSU Finishers: Women's Giant Slalom: Irwin, 13th, 2:04.00; Moran, 16th, 2:05.23; Danza, 18th, 25:05.31; Marissa Riopelle, 25th, 2:09.48; Kelly McBroom, DNF. Men's Giant Slalom: Radford, 18th, 1:55.86; Mackie, 22nd, 1:56.96; Monsen, 32nd, 1:59.59; David Owsley, 33rd, 1:59.73; Ryan McConnell, DNF.
Wednesday, June 10
Thursday, September 27
Thursday, September 27
Thursday, September 27
