Montana State Nordic Contingent Paces Bobcats at MSU Invite

Junior Ryan Scott (pictured) paced MSU to an outstanding men's Nordic performance of Friday, placing 7th overall in the 15K Classic.

Montana State Nordic Contingent Paces Bobcats at MSU Invite

1/15/2010 7:16:51 PM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing

The Montana State men’s Nordic team placed three skiers in the top ten of the 15-kilometer classic race to pace the Bobcats to a fifth place showing, after the first day of the MSU Invitational held Friday at Bohart Ranch.

By: Tom Schulz

Results: MSU Invitational - Day 1

Results: Men's Giant Slalom Qualifier

Results: Women's Giant Slalom Qualifier

The Montana State men's Nordic team placed three skiers in the top ten of the 15-kilometer classic race to pace the Bobcats to a fifth place showing, after the first day of the MSU Invitational held Friday at Bohart Ranch.

Ryan Scott, a junior from Boulder, Colo., led Montana State finishing seventh overall in a time of 44:18. New Mexico's Martin Kaas won the event in a clocking of 42:34.

Also scoring points for the Bobcats were Bernhard Roenning, 8th, 44:39, and Tyler Reinking, 10^th, 44:43.

As a unit, the MSU men were third overall, trailing just Colorado and New Mexico.

“The guys had an excellent day and a very good performance,” said MSU Nordic coach Grethe hagensen. “To have three in the top ten shows what great athletes we have. They are all good climbers and have good lungs. Overall, I'm very pleased with our first race of the season.”

Also placing among the top 35 were Luke Bromley, 15^th, 45:47; Hans Nygren, 20^th, 47:04; Drew Scott, 23^rd, 47:44, and Tyler Wright, 31^st, 52:33.

The Bobcat women's team notched 75 points in the 10-kilometer classic.

MSU was led by Casey Kutz, who finished 10^th overall in 34:51. Denver's Antje Maempel won the event in 31:51.

Contributing points for the Bobcats were Rachelle Kanady, 17^th, 36:00, and Liza Goodwin, 18^th, 36:18.

Also helping the MSU attack were Corrine Malcolm, 35:30, Kaelin Kiesel, 19^th, 36:29; Mellie Park, 20^th, 36:52; and Bernie Nelson, 23^rd, 37:32.

“The women stumbled a little bit getting the opening race jitters out,” Hagensen said. “We just need to come back stronger in the freestyle. They are very capable of putting together a very good race.”

Colorado leads the team standings after one event with 245 points. The Buffaloes are followed by New Mexico 203, Denver 190, Alaska-Anchorage 186, MSU 173, Utah 159, and Nevada 146.

The alpine giant slalom races, along with the Nordic freestyle events will be held on Saturday at Big Sky and Bohart Ranch, respectively.