January 16, 2010 (Bozeman, MT) – Thanks to five finishers in the top five of the classical cross-country races, including a 2-3-4 finish by the men, the University of Colorado ski team holds the lead after the first day (Friday) at the Montana State Invitational. The Buffaloes racked up 245 points, outdistancing New Mexico (203). Denver (190), Alaska-Anchorage (186), and host Montana State (173) round out the top five, with Utah (159) and Nevada (146) also participating.

In the men’s 15km classic race, New Mexico’s Martin Kaas skied to the win in a 42:34.01 time, picking up 50 first place points for the Lobos. But the next three skiers to cross the finish line were Buffaloes, led by senior Matt Gelso taking the runner-up spot in 42:57.01. Juniors Vegard Kjoelhamar (43:04.84) and Jesper Ostensen (43:23.43) followed in the third and fourth positions to earn CU 132 points for the race. Freshman Ian Mallams was 17th in 46:00.77 and junior Patrick Neel 19th in 46:58.63, while frosh Chris Woods did not finish. Sophomore Reid Pletcher, one of CU’s better performers, did not race Friday.

In the women’s 10km Denver’s Antje Maempel won in 31:51.53 with sophomore Eliska Hajkova in second with a time of 32:24.06. Freshman Joanne Reid captured fifth in 33:47.18 to give the Buffs five top five finishers between the two races. Rounding out the CU performers were junior Alexa Turzian, who placed 13th (35:01.36) and freshman Mary Rose, 22nd (37:24.26)..

CU head coach Richard Rokos was brimming about the Nordic performance. “That was an absolute confidence builder, and might show that our Nordic team is one of the best right now in the nation,” Rokos said. “But there are so many variables, you obviously want to be the best at the end of the year. Between now and then, you have to deal with injury, illness and working toward the right time to peak.”

The Nordic portion of the meet concludes Saturday with the freestyle races, the men’s 10k set for 10 a.m. with the women’s 5k version to follow.

St. Lawrence Carnival
Dartmouth took the lead after the first day of the St. Lawrence Carnival, as the Big Green amassed 475 points. Vermont holds down second with 425, followed by New Hampshire (392), Middlebury (356), host St. Lawrence (284.5), Bates (278) and Williams (275). Dartmouth skiers won both Nordic races, in fact, sweeping the top five spots in the women’s 5K classic, while UVM racers captured both giant slalom races, with the Catamounts placing five in the top seven in the men’s race and four in the top six in the women’s competition.

With files from University of Montana, the University of Colorado, and EISA

Montana State Invitational

Team Scores (2 events)
1. Colorado 245
2. New Mexico 203
3. Denver 190
4. Alaska-Anchorage 186
5. Montana State 173
6. Utah 159
7. Nevada 146

Women’s 10km Classic (top 10)
1. Antje Maempel, DU, 31:51.53
2. Eliska Hajkova, CU, 32:24.06
3. Laura Rombach, UAA, 32:32.94
4. Polisha Ermoshina, UNM, 32:53.64
5. Joanne Reid, CU, 33:47.18
6. Maria Graefnings, UNR, 33:52.68
7. Jamie Bronga, UAA, 33:57.12
8. Kate Dolan, DU, 33:59.92
9. Sarah MacCarthy, Utah, 34:49.33
10. Casey Kutz, MSU, 34:51.21 Other

Men’s 15km Classic (top 10)
1. Martin Kaas, UNM, 42:34.01
2. Matt Gelso, CU, 42:57.01
3. Vegard Kjoelhamar, CU, 43:04.84
4. Jesper Ostensen, CU, 43:23.43
5. Michael Schallinger, UAA, 44:04.57
6. Simon Reissmann, UNM, 44:13.81
7. Ryan Scott, MSU, 44:18.59
8. Bernhard Roenning, MSU, 44:39.34
9. Didrik Smith, Utah, 44:41.96
10. Tyler Reinking, MSU, 44:43.51.

St. Lawrence Carnival

Women’s 5km Classic (top 10)
1. Ida Sargent (DAR) 15:10.2
2. Rosie Brennan (DAR) 15:26.4, Katie Bono (DAR) 15:49.5, Erika Flowers (DAR) 16:23.6, Stephanie Crocker (DAR) 16:26.6, Natasa Kullas (UNH) 16:27.2, Johannah Ludington (SLU) 16:27.6,
8. Natalie Ruppertsburger (BAT) 16:34.1
9. Lauren Fritz (MID) 16:38.0
10. Caitlin Patterson (UVM) 16:38.7.

Men’s 10km Classic (top 10)
1. Nils Koons (DAR) 27:32.7
2. Franz Bernstein (UVM) 28:06.7
3. Dylan McGuffin (UNH) 28:07.1
4. Patrick O’Brien (DAR) 28:24.8
5. Eric Wolcott (SLU) 28:29.7
6. Douglas Debold (MID) 28:36.9
7. Eric Packer (DAR) 28:39.1
8. Erik Lindgren (UNH) 28:45.9
9. Steven Bedard (UNH) 28:46.2
10. Keith Kantack (WIL) 28:58.1