Bobcat Skiers Sixth after Opening Day of Utah-Pat Miller Invitational

Saturday, January 4

Midway, UT

9 am

Montana State University

Utah Invite - Classical - 10/15K

Jessica Yeaton notched MSU's first top 10 showing of the season, placing sixth in the classical event at the Utah-Pat Miller Invitational on Saturday afternoon.

Photo by: Cory Ransom

Bobcat Skiers Sixth after Opening Day of Utah-Pat Miller Invitational

1/4/2014 10:39:00 PM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing, Skiing

The Montana State ski team opened its 2014 season at the University of Utah – Pat Miller Invitational, Saturday afternoon. The Bobcats sit in sixth place after the men’s giant slalom, women’s slalom and Nordic classical events.

By: Tom Schulz

The Montana State ski team opened its 2014 season at the University of Utah – Pat Miller Invitational, Saturday afternoon. The Bobcats sit in sixth place after the men's giant slalom, women's slalom and Nordic classical events.

MSU racked up a team-high 64 points in the women's 10-kilometer classic race as two-time NCAA qualifier Jessica Yeaton finished sixth overall in a time of 33:03.7 to notch 27 points. She was followed closely by Kate Backstrum, 12^th, 34:01.4, and Isabella Smith, 13^th, 34:09.7, who tallied 19 and 18 points, respectively.

Sophomore Annie Liotta, a 2013 NCAA qualifier, finished fourth for MSU and 14^th overall in a clocking of 34:12.1.

Alaska-Anchorage's Marine Dusser won the women's title in 31:15.8.

The Bobcat men's Nordic squad was paced by Marshall Opel, who finished 13^th overall, covering the 15k course in 43:04.1. He was followed by Patrick Madden, 16^th, 44:21.1, and Forrest Mahlen, 19^th, 45:49.2.

Utah's Niklas Persson captured the men's crown in 40:13.3.

Kelly McBroom had a strong opening day for the Montana State women's alpine contingent, finishing 16^th in the slalom with a two-run total of 1:51.69. The Bobcats packed-up tight in its top three as Stephanie Irwin, 17^th, 1:52.36, and Marissa Riopelle, 19^th, 1:52.97 combined for 33 points.

Austrian newcomer David Neuhauser had the top time for MSU in the men's giant slalom with a two-run clocking of 2:01.42. Also placing for the Bobcats were David Owsley, 26^th, 2:05.35, and Ryan McConnell, 28^th, 2:06.85.

"David had a fast first run despite several mistakes and feeling sick," said first-year head alpine coach Kevin Francis. "He is a fantastic addition to our team.

"The team showed that they are competitive within this extremely high level of competition," Francis said. "This will help us build confidence and continue to improve each day. Our athletes had moments of brilliance, but they have more speed in the tank. It will be exciting to see what happens when they put it all together."

Sophomore Sam Monsen, who qualified for the NCAA meet last winter, did not start his second run of the day after getting knocked off line in his first run.

Utah leads its own invitational after the first day with 362.5 points. The Utes are followed by Denver 291, New Mexico 264, UAA 237, Colorado 224, MSU 207, Westminster 106, Wyoming 14 and Colorado Mountain College 0.