Smith Paces Bobcat Ski Team at New Mexico Invitational

Saturday, February 8

Red River, NM

9 am

Montana State University

UNM Invite - Slalom

Marissa Riopelle placed 20th in Saturday's slalom race at the UNM Invitational

Photo by: courtesy UNM Sports Information

2/8/2014 10:21:00 PM | Skiing

Isabella Smith placed seventh in the women’s 10-kilometer freestyle event on Saturday afternoon to guide the Montana State ski team to a sixth place team finish at the University of New Mexico Invitational.

By: Tom Schulz

Isabella Smith placed seventh in the women's 10-kilometer freestyle event on Saturday afternoon to guide the Montana State ski team to a sixth place team finish at the University of New Mexico Invitational.

Smith clocked 36:19.2 to collect 25 points for the Bobcats. She was followed closely in the top 10 by teammates Jessica Yeaton, eighth, 36:33.2, and Kate Backstrum, tenth, 36:49.8.

The MSU women's Nordic contingent has been the Bobcats' most dominate and productive on the season. The group also placed third among all Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association squads in the event.

"Isabella is skiing well in both techniques," MSU head Nordic coach Grethe Hagensen said. "She is our top finisher once again. To have three women in the top ten is fantastic. The Bobcat women's team has been the most consistent skating team in the RMISA."

The Montana State men were led by sophomore Sawyer Kesselheim, who finished 17^th overall in 31:16.6. Also scoring for the Bobcats were Patrick Madden, 19^th, 31:43.7, and Forrest Mahlen, 20^th, 31:44.7.

Montana State All-American David Norris saw his first action of the season, after being sidelined for months due to illness. The Fairbanks, Alaska native placed 33^rd in a clocking of 35:17.9.

"David Norris competed for the first time after being sick for months," Hagensen said. "He will try to succeed in Colorado (NCAA West Regional) and, hopefully, take one of the NCAA spots."

On the alpine side, the Bobcats were led in the slalom by Stephanie Irwin, who placed 12^th overall with a two-run total of 1:36.66. She was followed by Kelly McBroom, 17^th, 1:37.06, and Marissa Riopelle, 20^th, 1:38.11.

Newcomer David Neuhauser paced the MSU men's squad finishing 24^th in 1:37.77. He was followed by Ryan McConnell, 26^th, 1:38.32, and David Owsley, 30^th, 1:41.70.

New Mexico captured its own invitational with 655 points. The Lobos were followed by Colorado 588.5, Denver 573.5, Utah 549, Alaska-Anchorage 436, MSU 372, Westminster 292, Wyoming 146 and Colorado Mountain 33.