(Editor’s note: Montana State University press release)
BOZEMAN -The Montana State Nordic team had two racers in the top 10 of the 5/10-km classic at the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association/NCAA Western Regional Championships on Saturday afternoon.
Erik Axelsson guided the Bobcat men’s team finishing ninth in a clocking of 33:43.4. Also scoring points for the Bocbats were Karsten Hokanson, 16th, 34:21.4, and Noah Andersen, 18th, 34:25.1.
Denver’s Dag Frode Trolleboe won the men’s classic title in 32:28.0.
The MSU women were led by Anna Fake, who placed tenth in 18:57.5. She was followed by Emma Tarbath, 12th, 19:03.7, and Johanna Taliharm, 13th, 19:06.1
Guro Jordheim of Utah captured the women’s crown in 17:46.8.
Denver continues to sit atop the team standings with 350 points. The Pioneers are followed by Colorado 306, Utah 281, MSU 263, New Mexico 224.5, Alaska-Anchorage 182.5, Alaska-Fairbanks 94, Westminster 79 and Colorado Mountain College 39.
In addition, a NCAA giant slalom qualifier was held on Saturday and Montana State sophomore Addison Dvoracek won the event with a two-run clocking of 1:57.43. Dvoracek had the fastest opening run in 58.97.
“It was a big day for Addison,” said MSU Alpine Head Coach Kevin Francis. “He is skiing smart and focused and giving himself his best opportunity to do well in each race.”
Stephanie Gartner guided the Bobcat women finishing runner-up to Denver’s Kristine Aasberg. Gartner notched a two-run total of 2:01.21, while Aasberg clocked 2:00.45. Gartner had a consistent day for the Bobcats as each run was the second fastest of the event.
“Stephanie Gartner has put in the work and is seeing the rewards,” Francis said. “It hasn’t always been easy for her this year, but her mindset is really working for her now.”
The RMISA alpine qualifier races do not count towards any team scoring and are used as an extra opportunity for skiers to earn qualification points for the NCAA Championships at the end of the season.
The RMISA/NCAA West Regional Championships will conclude on Sunday with the Nordic freestyle and the alpine giant slalom races.
