Utah's Jayne, Laven Sweep Races As CU Maintains Slim Lead At Own Invitational

Friday, February 13, 2026 • by Curtis Snyder

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo.— Utah swept Friday’s 20K freestyle races at Howelsen Hill as Zachary Jayne captured the men’s race and Erica Laven won the women’s race at the Colorado Spencer James Nelson Memorial Invitational.

The team battle between Colorado and Denver remained tight throughout the day, with both programs scoring 146 points. Through six events, Colorado leads the meet with 502 points, followed by Denver with 493, while Utah sits third with 454 entering Saturday’s finale.

Jayne led the men’s podium, followed by Simon Chappaz of Montana State in second and Denver’s Yannick Zellweger in third, keeping the Pioneers within single digits of the Buffaloes in the overall standings.

On the women’s side, Laven’s victory paced Utah, while Colorado’s Nina Schamberger and Tilde Baangman finished second and third, respectively, helping the Buffaloes maintain their overall lead heading into the final day.

The invitational concludes Saturday with the 7.5K classic interval start races at Howelsen Hill.

AGATE

Team Scores (Through 6 Events):

1. Colorado 502; 2. Denver 493; 3. Utah 454; 4. Montana State 338.5; 5. Alaska Anchorage 305; 6. Nevada 207.5; 7. Westminster 136; 8. Colorado Mountain 120; 9. Alaska Fairbanks 97.

Men’s 20K Freestyle:

1. Zachary Jayne, Utah, 57:03.8; 2. Simon Chappaz, Montana State, 57:04.7; 3. Yannick Zellweger, Denver, 57:11.8; 4. Philipp Moosmayer, Alaska Fairbanks, 57:27.6; 5. Corbin Carpenter, Alaska Anchorage, 57:41.7; 6. Gavin Galyardt, Montana State, 57:42.1; 7. Matyas Pavek, Alaska Fairbanks, 57:55.1; 8. Blake Hanley, Alaska Fairbanks, 57:58.4; 9. Erling Bjoernstad, Alaska Anchorage, 58:07.2; 10. Krystof Zatloukal, Denver, 58:07.8.

Women’s 20K Freestyle:

1. Erica Laven, Utah, 1:06:51.9; 2. Nina Schamberger, Colorado, 1:08:36.3; 3. Tilde Baangman, Colorado, 1:09:36.7; 4. Witta Walcher, Utah, 1:09:49.6; 5. Sofia Pedersen, Utah, 1:11:28.7; 6. Synne Bollingmo, Denver, 1:11:28.9; 7. Ruby Serrouya, Denver, 1:11:29.3; 8. Astri Lunde, Colorado, 1:11:29.7; 9. Ally Wheeler, Utah, 1:11:47.5; 10. Selma Andersen, Utah, 1:12:26.6.