Montana State University
Colorado Invitational - Giant Slalom
McDermott Reaches Podium as Bobcat Nordic Skiers Record Dominating Day
1/23/2016 7:11:00 PM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing, Skiing
The Montana State men’s and women’s Nordic ski teams posted a dominating effort putting five skiers in the top 10 and three in the top five of the 5/10k freestyle races, Saturday morning at the University of Colorado Invitational.
The Montana State men's and women's Nordic ski teams posted a dominating effort putting five skiers in the top 10 and three in the top five of the 5/10k freestyle races, Saturday morning at the University of Colorado Invitational.
In all, the Bobcat Nordic squad recorded a combined 166 points, its highest total of the season. The MSU women were the top Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Association team racking up 84 points, while the Bobcat men were second with 82 points. Combined, the Montana State Nordic contingent was second, 12 points behind Utah.
Senior Cambria McDermott notched the best showing of the morning for MSU with a runner-up finish in a time of 15:48.1. She was followed closely by junior Anika Miller, who placed fifth with a clocking of 15:58.1. Rounding out MSU's scoring was Johanna Taliharm, 15th, 17:04.9.
"The team had great energy coming into the day and were ready to put forth a great full-team effort," said MSU Nordic Head Coach Matt Johnson. "The tracks were firm and stable, which made for some very fair racing for the entire field. The course was a great test of fitness with plenty of long gradual climbs."
New Mexico's Emilie Cedervaern won the women's freestyle title in 15:11.7.
"In the women's 5k field our skis looked fast and the girls were coming around the four-kilometer mark ahead of the bibs around them, so we had a good feeling about the race," Johnson said. "That was confirmed when the results came out. The girls came back looking exhausted, but happy with their skis and races."
Senior Sawyer Kesselheim continued his outstanding season finishing fourth in the men's freestyle with a time of 26:18.9. The Bozeman product has placed in the top 10 of all five of races this winter.
Kesselheim was followed by Karsten Hokanson, fifth, 26:30.6, and Forrest Mahlen, tenth, 27:20.9.
Denver's Moritz Madlener won the men's freestyle crown in 26:05.1.
"Our guys saw what the women's team accomplished, which gave them some extra confidence heading towards the start," Johnson said. "After 10-kilometers, the boys ended up with great results with three in the top 10."
Sophomore Benedicte Lyche paced the Bobcat alpine contingent placing eighth in giant slalom with a two-run total of 1:58.28. The Oslo, Norway native has registered five top 10 finishes in RMISA action.
Also scoring for MSU were Stephanie Gartner, 17th, 2:00.27, and Mia Henry, 19th, 2:00.41.
Colorado's Tonje Trulsrud won the women's giant slalom in 1:56.58.
Freshman Morten Bakke led the Bobcat men placing 11th overall in a two-run clocking of 1:57.08. He was followed by freshman Jeffrey Bell, 17th, 1:57.75, and Garret Driller, 19th, 1:58.00.
Utah's Endre Bjertness captured the men's giant slalom in 1:55.26.
"We had some excellent individual performances and one amazing first run from Benny (Lyche)," said MSU Alpine head coach Kevin Francis. "I'm stoked to see some of our freshmen pushing through adversity and fighting for every tenth. That is what it's going to take to reach our goals this year.
"My hat is off to the Nordic team," Francis added. "They are showing incredible heart this year."
Combined with the alpine team's 103.5 points, MSU sits fourth with two events remaining in Nordic classic. Utah sits atop the team standings with 468 points, followed by Denver 440, Colorado 432, MSU 389.5, New Mexico 372, Alaska Anchorage 312.5, Westminster 240, Colorado Mountain 61 and Wyoming 61.
Other Bobcat Times: Women's 5k freestyle- Gretchen Burkholder, 23rd, 17:50.4; Lina Hultin, 29th, 19:14.5. Men's 10k freestyle- Noah Andersen, 18th, 28:18.1; Erik Axelsson, 22nd, 28:55.9. Women's Giant Slalom- Kari Hole, 23rd, 2:01.11; Tenaya Driller, 28th, 2:03, 73, Jocelyn McCarthy, DNS. Men's Giant Slalom- David Neuhauser, 24th, 1:59.69.
