Bobcat Skiers Open NCAA Championships with Nordic Freestyle

Wednesday, March 6

Stowe, VT

All Day

Montana State University

Freestyle (5/10K-I)

Kathleen O'Connell finished 22nd in the 5K freestyle on Wednesday to begin MSU's appearance at the NCAA Skiing Championships.

Photo by: courtesy of NCAA Photos

Bobcat Skiers Open NCAA Championships with Nordic Freestyle

3/6/2019 1:14:00 PM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing, Skiing

NCAA SKI RESULTS

“Today’s race was just about perfect for ski racing,” said MSU Nordic head coach Matthew Johnson. “We had fast, cold conditions, which made legs more than wax determine the outcome.”

By: Tom Schulz

STOWE, Vermont – The Montana State ski team began its 2019 NCAA Skiing Championships putting four skiers in the top 25 in the Nordic freestyle on Wednesday morning at Trapp Family Lodge.

The Bobcats sit in ninth place in the team standings with 37 points. Utah holds a slim one-point lead after the opening day racking-up 142 points. The Utes are followed in the top 10 by Vermont 141, Colorado 120, Northern Michigan 117, Denver 92, Dartmouth 91, New Mexico 74, Alaska Anchorage 60, MSU, and Middlebury 35.

"Today's race was just about perfect for ski racing," said MSU Nordic head coach Matthew Johnson. "We had fast, cold conditions, which made legs more than wax determine the outcome."

A pair of freshmen paced the Bobcat men's team in the 10k race. Ti Donaldson placed 23^rd in a time of 25:32.2, while Ty Godfrey was on his heels in 25^th in a clocking of 25:34.3. Sophomore Eli Jensen completed MSU's top three finishing 36^th in 26:13.1.

"In the 10K, our boys skied solid races but didn't have quite the results they were looking for," Johnson stated. "Our NCAA team this year consists of two freshmen and a sophomore so part of the championship for them is to try hanging with a mostly older group to gain experience for the future."

Colorado's Erik Olsvik Dengerud won the men's freestyle title in 24:25.5.

Emma Tarbath paced the Montana State women's contingent finishing 21^st in the 5K event covering the course in 14:20.7. She was followed by Kathleen O'Connell, 22^nd, 14:23.8, and Anna Fake, 27^th, 14:32.4.

"On the girls' side in the 5K, the Cats were somewhat frustrated with their results but there were a lot of bright spots in their performances and preparation," Johnson commented.

Julia Richter of Utah captured the women's freestyle crown in 13:28.3.

Nordic action resumes on Friday, March 8 with the 15/20K Classic events. The alpine races start on Thursday with the giant slalom competition.

"Both our men and women have been especially strong in the mass start classic races late this season, so we know our real opportunity this year is on Friday," Johnson said. "They will have a chance to work together as they push themselves around the course."