Utah Invitational Day 4 – Nordic Freestyle Results
Soldier Hollow, Utah — On the site of the 2002 Olympics and the 2014 NCAA National Championships, Emilie Cedervärn put up an effort that was every bit as fitting as the venue. On the famed Soldier Hollow course, Cedervärn picked up her sixth career win, and third in the freestyle, winning the Utah Invitational 5K as New Mexico stayed in third place, but closed the gap to fourth place to just four points.
Cedervärn’s win was just the tip of the iceberg for a great day for UNM’s Nordic squad, which picked up 137 points, the third-best Nordic total on the day.
Along with Emilie, Kati Roivas finished 10th in her first career race, and Eva Sever Rus, who won the national title on the Soldier Hollow course in 2014, finished 12th, giving UNM 80 points. Two over newcomers, Julia Devaux and Brenna Egan finished 20th and 22nd, showcasing some of UNM’s depth in women’s Nordic.
On the men’s side, mid-year transfer Petteri Vaherkoski came in ninth in his opening race, and another newcomer, Austin Huneck, was 13th. Aljaž Praznik, one of two returning skiers on the men’s Nordic side, was 18th. Kyle Beling turned in a career race with a 21st place finish and newcomer Niklas Rombock finished 30th.
The Nordic races were the continuation of the Utah Invitational, which started last Monday with the alpine events. The Lobos will look to move up into fourth place overall tomorrow with the Classic races tomorrow at Soldier Hollow.
“That was actually Emilie’s first skate victory at high altitude,” said head coach Fredrik Landstedt. “That was very impressive skiing by her. I thought Kati skied great in 10th and Eva fought hard for 12th. Brenna started her college career very well beating many college skiers finishing 22nd.”
About the men, Landstedt said, “Petteri had a great race and finished ninth and he had the sixth fastest second lap. Austin surprised me a little and finished 13th in his first college race. Aljaž had the flu over Christmas and is not 100% but he skied hard and Kyle had his best college race finishing 21st only three seconds behind Aljaž. I thought overall it was a really good start to the Nordic season.”
NOTES: Cedervärn’s win gives her six wins in her career, and she is now two behind UNM leader Martina Stursova (eight wins from 2003-05) and one behind Ivana Radlova (seven wins from 1992-94) … Cedervärn six wins have come in her last seven races, with the only non-win a third place finish in the NCAA Championships in the freestyle race …
Overall Standings (through 6 of 8): Denver 454, Colorado 454, Utah 448, Montana State 355, New Mexico 351, Alaska-Anchorage 281, Westminster 258, Colorado Mountain 73.
Men’s Nordic Freestyle Scores: UU 92, CU 83, MSU 73, DU 67, UNM 57, UAA 49
Women’s Nordic Freestyle Scores: UU 88, UNM 80, MSU 80, DU 67, CU 53, UAA 53
Men’s Slalom Scores: WMC 90, DU 85, CU 78, MSU 68, UAA 51, UU 48, UNM 34, CMC 0.
Women’s Slalom Scores: DU 101, CU 71, UNM 70, UU 66, WMC 57, MSU 51, UAA 36, CMC 19.
Women’s Giant Slalom Scores: CU 77, UU 75, MSU 72, UNM 61, DU 54, UAA 48, WMC 34, CMC 23.
Men’s Giant Slalom Scores: CU 92, DU 80, UU 79, WMC 77, UNM 49, UAA 44, CMC 31, MSU 11.