March 03, 2014 (Stowe, Vermont) – Cole Morgan (University of Vermont) and Tara Humphries (Bates College) topped the fields in the 5/10km CL individual start junior men’s and women’s (MU20) races held today in cold but clear conditions as the 2014 USSA Junior Cross Country National Ski Championships got underway at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT.

Morgan had a comfortable margin in the junior men’s race as Fabian Stocek (Holderness) finished second at 35.7s back and Jack Hegman, also from UVM, was third at 42.0 seconds behind the winner. Taking the silver in the FU20 women’s race was Hannah Benson (Williams Outing Club) at 3.3s back followed by Sadie James (Bates Nordic Ski Team) in third at 7.6s behind Humphries.

Peter Holmes (Unleashed Coaching) took the MU18 title while Sun Valley’s Zach Williams won the MU16 junior men’s race. Stratton’s Katharine Ogden took home the FU18 crown and Hailey Swirbul (Aspen Valley Ski/Snowboard Club) grabbed the win in the MU16 women’s race.

Today’s races were preceded by Opening Ceremonies and a parade reminiscent on a small scale of the Winter Olympic Games that are in the dreams of all these young skiers. Kristina von Trapp Frame, head of the organizing committee was elated. “It couldn’t be better than this; that the first winner among this fantastic gathering of up and coming talent comes from our own back yard. What a thrilling start for a world class event.”

Tuesday, March 4th is a training day with the Classic 1.4k sprint races scheduled for March 5th.

Full results here.