Photo by: Neil Hetherington
Bobcat Skiers Hold Onto Fifth at Utah Invitational
2/8/2013 5:22:00 PM | Skiing
Led by Nordic skiers Jessica Yeaton and Pat Madden, the Montana State ski team held onto fifth place at the Utah Invitational, Friday afternoon on the Soldier Hollow course.
Led by Nordic skiers Jessica Yeaton and Pat Madden, the Montana State ski team held onto fifth place at the Utah Invitational, Friday afternoon on the Soldier Hollow course.
After three events, the Bobcats have notched 486 points, and sit behind Colorado 662, Denver 633, Utah 624, and New Mexico 521. Behind a strong classic race, Alaska-Anchorage closed its gap on MSU with 441 points.
Yeaton, who was a 2012 NCAA qualifier, had Montana State's top showing, placing seventh in the women's 5-kilometer classic event in 15:07.9. She was followed in scoring by Annie Liotta, 10th, 15:16.1, and Isabella Smith, 15th, 15:31.7.
“Jessica Yeaton paced the women's team,” said MSU Nordic Coach Chad Andersen. “She was fighting for third until the finish line, which is a good indicator of what's to come. I also thought Annie Liotta came out with lots of energy and it was good to see her fighting for every second and ending with a top performance.”
Also contributing to the Bobcat effort were Cambria McDermott, 19th, Kate Backstrum, 20th, and Alliy Ross, 31st.
Joanne Reid of Colorado won the classic race in 14:49.8.
Madden paced the Bobcat men's contingent finishing eighth, covering the 10k course in in 26:11.5. It was Madden's fourth top 10 showing of the season.
“I definitely have made a jump in fitness from last year,” Madden said. “I feel like it has not only given me the ability to be competitive every weekend, but also the confidence.”
Also notching points for MSU were Tyler Reinking, 13th, 26:28.1, and Marshall Opel, 15th, 26:52.1. Rounding out the Bobcat attack were Luke Bromley, 22nd, Michael Schallinger, 25th, and Sam Dougherty, 29th.
Utah's Miles Havlick won the men's title in 25:19.2.
“It was another solid day for MSU,” Andersen said. “Pat Madden continued his strong season, and we also had nice results from Tyler Reinking and Marshall Opel on the men's side, along with Jessica and Annie. It was a good team effort.”
The men's and women's freestyle races will conclude the Utah Invitational on Saturday.
Interim Bobcat Insider - Jeff Choate & Nellie Talbot
Thursday, November 12
NCAA Ski Championships Recap
Saturday, March 10
NCAA Ski Championships | Day 2 Recap
Thursday, March 08
NCAA Ski Championships | Day 1 Recap
Wednesday, March 07
