Bobcats Skiers Sixth at New Mexico Invitational

Saturday, February 20

Red River, NM

9 a.m.

Montana State University

New Mexico Invitational - Slalom

Senior Sawyer Kesselheim

2/20/2016 9:03:00 PM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing, Skiing

The Montana State ski team sits in sixth place after the opening day of the University of New Mexico Invitational, Saturday at Red River.

By: Tom Schulz

The Montana State ski team sits in sixth place after the opening day of the University of New Mexico Invitational, Saturday at Red River.

The Bobcat men's Nordic team posted the best effort of the day racking up 56 points. MSU was led by senior Sawyer Kesselheim, who finished 13^th in the 10-kilometer classic in 32:29.7. Also scoring for Montana State were Martin Muan, 15^th, 32:58.8; and Forrest Mahlen, 17^th, 33:11.9.

Colorado's Mads Stroem won the event in 29:36.5.

On the women's side, Olivia Ekblad paced MSU finishing 15^th overall covering the five-kilometer course in 22:25.5. She was followed by Anika Miller, 18^th, 22:34.8; and Gretchen Burkholder, 20^th, 22:59.0.

Denver's Linn Eriksen won the women's individual title in 19:54.3.

Freshman Morten Bakke had the best performance by the MSU alpine squad placing 12^th in the slalom with a two-run total of 1:40.89. Also scoring was Garret Driller, 21^st, 1:42.73. The Bobcats failed to have a third racer put up points as David Neuhauser, Andrew Kircher and Jeffrey Bell did not finish their respective runs.

CU's Henrik Gunnarsson won the event in 1:38.91.

The Bobcat women were guided by Benedicte Lyche, who placed 18^th in 1:38.55. She was followed by Mia Henry, 19^th, 1:38.62; and Stephanie Gartner, 22^nd, 1:39.79.

Utah's Julie Mohagen won the individual slalom crown in 1:34.59.

CU sits atop the team standings after four events with 344 points. The Buffaloes are followed by Utah 316, Denver 278, New Mexico 265, Alaska-Anchorage 183, MSU 175, Westminster 133, Wyoming 79 and Colorado Mountain 12.

Other MSU Finishers: Men's 10K Classic – Erik Axelsson, 19^th, 33:15.8; Karsten Hokanson, 27^th, 34:55.5; Noah Andersen, 28^th, 35:24.3. Women's 5K Classic – Cambria McDermott, 21^st, 23:01.7; Johanna Taliharm, 22^nd, 23:17.9; Lina Hultin, 25^th, 23:50.2. Men's Slalom – David Neuhauser, DNF; Andrew Kircher, DNF; Jeffrey Bell, DNF. Women's Slalom – Tenaya Driller, 24^th, 1:42.33; Jocelyn McCarthy, DNF; Kari Hole, DNF.