Bobcat Skiers Fourth After Opening Day at Utah Invite

Friday, February 14

Soldier Hollow

9 a.m.

Montana State University

Nordic - 5/10K Freestyle

Montana State freshman Zanden McMullen placed 10th in the 10-km freestyle on Friday at Soldier Hollow to open the Utah Invite.

Photo by: courtesy of Utah Sports Information

2/14/2020 5:08:00 PM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing, Skiing

Two Montana State Nordic skiers finished in the top ten in the 5/10-km freestyle as the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association opened action at the University of Utah Invitational on Friday afternoon at Soldier Hollow.

By: Tom Schulz

SOLDIER HOLLOW, Utah – Two Montana State Nordic skiers finished in the top ten in the 5/10-km freestyle as the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association opened action at the University of Utah Invitational on Friday afternoon at Soldier Hollow.

Emma Tarbath paced the MSU women's team placing ninth overall finishing the 5k course in 13:53.8. She was followed closely by Kat O'Connell, 13^th, 14:13.2, Matilda Joensson, 15^th, 14:21.2, Anna Fake, 19^th, 14:28.4, and Aubrey Leclair, 24^th, 14:42.5.

Denver's Evekiina Piippo won the women's event in 12:51.6.

The Bobcat men were led by freshman Zanden McMullen, who placed tenth overall covering the 10k race in 21:22.5. He was followed by Reed Godfrey, 14^th, 21:38.1, Ti Donaldson, 18^th, 21:58.4, Eli Jensen, 21^st, 22:07.0, and Eli Hermanson, 23^rd, 22:33.0.

Sigurd Roenning of Alaska Anchorage captured the men's race in 20:23.3.

Montana State's balanced performance on both the men's (62 pts) and women's (60 pts) side gave the Bobcats a combined 122 points. MSU sits behind Utah 190, UAA 161, and Denver 148.5. Following the Bobcats are Colorado 120.5, Alaska Fairbanks 100 and Wyoming 66.

The Nordic 10-km classic events will be held on Saturday. The alpine portion of the Utah Invite begins on Feb. 22 with the giant slalom races at Park City Mountain Resort.