BOZEMAN, MONT. – Sigurd Roenning and Jenna DiFolco both finished in the top-10 of the classic races at the Montana State Invite Saturday.
Roenning led the men's team with a sixth place (1:01:44) in the 20-kilometer race, while Difolco was the top-finisher in the women's 15-kilometer race in a time of 54:49.
Michaela Keller-Miller was 11th (55:28), Anna Darnell was 12th (55:29) and Hannah Rudd was 13th (56:07). Marte Haakenstad-Braaten was 21st (58:34), and Casey Wright was 24th (1:00:32).
JC Schoonmaker and Toomas Kollo both placed in the top-20 finishing 11th (1:04:00) and 19th (1:06:52).
Austin Huneck was 27th (1:09:51), and Brandon Herhusky was 33rd (1:13:54).
“It was another great day for the Seawolf women with personal bests in classic from Jenna, Michaela, Anna and Hannah,” said head Nordic coach Andrew Kastning. “We put in some focused technique work in classic since Steamboat, and they made a great jump in the standings. The men's race was tough to hit the wax just right with rising temperatures and moisture in the snow rising to the surface. Despite the challenge, Sigurd was able to stay with the lead pack for two laps before gradually slipping to sixth, where he fought hard to hold off a skier from Denver. The race of the day has to go to freshman JC who skied smooth and in control in his first 20k ever to grab 11th despite a fall. Toomas fought hard using his arms to overcome slick skis and helped us beat Colorado in the men's race. We are looking forward to a training block at home now to prepare for the New Mexico invite in two weeks.”
UAA finished sixth in the team standings with 458 points.
The UAA men competed in a giant slalom that was postponed from the Colorado Invite.
Tony Naciuk led the Seawolves with a time of 1:46.93.
Didrik Nilsen was 22nd (1:48.88), Martins Onskulis 24th (1:51.49), Dominic Unterberger 25th (1:51.77) and Sky Kelsey 26th (1:53:37).
“Another day at the rodeo,” said head coach Sparky Anderdson. “It isn't our first. Probably won't be the last. Conditions were great for the spectators, but horrific for the athletes. Our guys fought through it, but small mistakes cost us in the end. The level is there, just not the consistency. Tony had another good day. He's been our best bull rider all week. We fly home tomorrow for a block of slalom training before heading to UNM the next week. Everyone is fired up get some slalom volume.”
UAA finished fifth of 10 teams at the Colorado Invite.
Alaska Anchorage will compete at the New Mexico Invite Feb. 2-3.
