Dec. 17, 2007
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The New Mexico ski team wrapped up its preseason training over the weekend in Colorado and Utah. Members of the Nordic team competed at Soldier Hollow, Utah, on the trails outside of Salt Lake City used in the 2002 Olympics.
On Saturday, Dec. 15, sophomore Polina Ermoshina placed 11th in the women’s sprint qualification and third in her quarterfinal heat. Junior Crystin Jaques finished 25th in the qualifying and sixth in her quarterfinal heat. Alumnae Kristina Strandberg and Martina Stursova placed second and fifth in the finals.
For the Nordic men, freshman Simon Reissmann finished 21st in the sprint qualification and third in his quarterfinal heat. Alumnus Dirk Grimm also finished third in a quarterfinal heat.
“This was another good race for Polina, proving again that she is one of the best skiers in the country,” said Lobo head coach Fredrik Landstedt. “Crystin performed very well in her first big race of the season, and Simon came very close to qualifying for the semifinals. They were competing against some of the top skiers in the country.”
In Sunday’s mass start freestyle race, Ermoshina recorded another solid race, finishing 15th overall and third among collegiate skiers. Jaques was 37th overall and eighth collegiate finisher.
Reissmann finished 29th overall in the men’s race, third among collegians. Tok-Hakon Hellebostad and Rick Grahn competed in their first races of the season, finishing 37th and 40th in the 15K event.
Sophomore Gary Beresford was the lone alpiner to race in Winter Park, Colo. Beresford competed in giant slalom on Thursday and Friday, finishing 42nd and 40th, respectively. On Saturday, Beresford recorded a 47th-place finish in super G competition.
Intercollegiate competition begins Jan. 4-5, 2008, with the alpine portion of the Colorado Invitational in Steamboat Springs.