(Editor’s note: Montana State University press release)
WEST YELLOWSTONE – The Montana State women’s Nordic squad used a tight pack to post 66 points, and two Bobcats recorded top 10 finishes at the Utah Invitational on Thursday afternoon at the Rendezvous Ski Trails.
Junior Johanna Taliharm recorded MSU’s best time placing ninth-overall, covering the 5-km course in 15:54.8. She was followed closely by Anna Fake, tenth, 15:57.1, Emma Tarbath, 11th, 16:00.9, and Kathleen O’Connell, 12th, 16:01.8.
Also finishing for the Cats were Jordi Floyd, 22nd, 16:39.8, and Maria Geisor, 32nd, 18:19.0.
Colorado’s Hedda Baangman won the event in 14:58.9.
Freshman Eli Jensen guided the men’s contingent finishing 12th-overall. The Boise, Idaho product posted a 10-km clocking of 27:40.6. Also scoring points for MSU were Erik Axelsson, 16th, 28:06.6, and Karsten Hokanson, 20th, 28:23.8.
Noah Andersen, 30th, 30:06.4, and Martin Muan, 34th, 30:31.9 rounded-out the Bobcat squad.
Denver’s Dag Frode Trolleboe won the men’s title in 26:11.9.
With just two events remaining, Denver sits atop the team standings with 476 points. The Pioneers are followed by CU 470, Utah 417.5, MSU 410.5, New Mexico 326, Alaska Anchorage 259, Westminster 224, Alaska Fairbanks 108 and Colorado Mountain College 71.
The Utah Invitational will conclude with the 15/20-km freestyle races on Friday morning.
