LAKE PLACID, N.Y.— Utah closed out the RMISA Invitational with a dominant performance in the men's and women's classic sprint races Friday at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships, sweeping the top two positions in both races and securing the overall team title.
On the women's side, Erica Laven led the way for the Utes, winning the classic sprint after advancing through the heats and finishing first in the final. Teammate Sofia Pedersen followed in second, giving Utah a 1–2 finish at the top of the standings. Colorado's Tilde Baangman placed third, while Utah placed three skiers among the top six overall.
Utah completed the sprint sweep on the men's side, as Max Kluck captured the race victory and Zach Jayne finished second. Alaska Anchorage's Erling Bjoernstad rounded out the podium in third. Utah placed three skiers inside the top four to anchor its team result.
In the team standings, Utah won the classic sprint competitions on both the men's and women's sides and finished the RMISA Invitational with 414 points. Alaska Anchorage placed second with 306 points, followed by Colorado with 293. Alaska Fairbanks (230), Montana State (229) and Denver (212) rounded out the standings.
The classic sprint races marked the conclusion of Nordic competition at the RMISA Invitational, closing a four-race slate at Mt. Van Hoevenberg.
FINAL TEAM STANDINGS: 1. Utah, 414; 2. Alaska Anchorage, 306; 3. Colorado, 293; 4. Alaska Fairbanks, 230; 5. Montana State, 229; 6. Denver, 212.
MEN'S CLASSIC SPRINT: 1. Max Kluck, Utah, 3:11.28 (third place, finals heat); 2. Zach Jayne, Utah, 3:11.70 (fourth place, finals heat); 3. Erling Bjoernstad, Alaska Anchorage, 3:02.44 (third place, semifinal heat 1); 4. Carl Rune, Utah, 3:09.84 (fifth place, semifinal heat 1); 5. Storm Pedersen, Colorado, 3:18.02 (sixth place, semifinal heat 1); 6. Eemil Juntunen, Denver, 3:00.22 (third place, quarterfinal heat 3); 7. Murphy Kimball, Alaska Anchorage, 2:56.55 (fourth place, quarterfinal heat 4); 8. Cole Flowers, Alaska Fairbanks, 2:57.79 (fifth place, quarterfinal heat 1, 2:58.17 qualification time); 9. Simon Chappaz, Montana State, 3:00.37 (fifth place, quarterfinal heat 4; 2:59.50 qualification time); 10. Mons Melbye, Utah, 2:59.58 (qualification time).
WOMEN'S CLASSIC SPRINT: 1. Erica Laven, Utah, 3:43.45 (sixth place, finals heat); 2. Sofia Pedersen, Utah, 3:34.14 (fifth place, semifinal heat 1); 3. Tilde Baangman, Colorado, 3:30.80 (fourth place, quarterfinal heat 3); 4. Nina Schamberger, Colorado, 3:36.53 (fifth place, quarterfinal heat 3); 5. Marlie Molinaro, Alaska Anchorage, 3:42.41 (qualification time); 6. Neve Gerard, Utah, 3:42.83 (qual.); 7. Marit Flora, Alaska Anchorage, 3:42.89 (qual.); 8. Elena Grissom, Colorado, 3:44.01 (qual.); 9. Constance LaPointe, Alaska Anchorage, 3:45.68 (qual.); 10. Synne Bollingmo, Denver, 3:45.99 (qual.).
| Date | Race |
|---|---|
| Jan. 4 | Women's 10K Classic |
| Jan. 4 | Men's 10K Classic |
| Jan. 9 | Women's Classic Sprints |
| Jan. 9 | Men's Classic Sprints |