Montana State Bobcats

Five Bobcat Nordic competitors qualified for the national meet, that combines both men’s and women’s alpine and Nordic results. MSU did not qualify any alpine skiers.

Junior Bernhard Roenning had Montana State’s top finish, placing 30th overall covering the 10K course in 25:53.8. He was followed by Ryan Scott, 38th, 26:50.5; and Anders Folleraas, 39th, 27:18.6.

Juergen Uhl of the University of Vermont won the individual crown in a time of 24:14.9.

The Bobcat women were paced by Kaelin Kiesel, who finished 31st in the five-kilometer event with a time of 15:29.1. Senior Claire Rennie, who is competing in her fourth national championship, placed 34th overall in 15:31.5.

Denver’s Antje Maempel won the women’s crown in 13:52.4.

“The nature of sports is that some days you are great, and some days you are not,” said MSU Nordic coach Grethe Hagensen. “I think a bunch of factors came into play and we had a disappointing race.

“I know all five of our kids are looking forward to redeeming themselves on Saturday,” Hagensen continued. “It will be a new opportunity. The snow is fast and we are very capable of getting some kids in the top ten.”

MSU concludes the championship with the freestyle events on Saturday morning.

“Freestyle is our strength,” Hagensen said.

The NCAA West Region/RMISA is dominating the championship after two days. Denver leads the team standings with 330 points. The defending national champs are followed by Vermont 326, Utah 318, Colorado 299 and Alaska-Anchorage 283. MSU has tallied 28 points.