University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics

March 13, 2009

Women's Classic Results

Men's Classic Results

Rumford, ME - Cool temperatures had little effect on Theresia Schnurr and Oyvind Watterdal Thursday morning during the classic races at Black Mountain on the first day of cross country skiing at the NCAA National Championships hosted by Bates College, as both raced well for the Nanooks.

Schnurr was the top Central Collegiate Ski Association (CCSA) skier to cross the line in the 5K classic race, in this, her first ever NCAA national championship event. She finished 13^th overall with a time of 14:50.0, and was 7^th at the halfway mark of the race, but for his freshman, Head Coach Scott Jerome was pleased with her performance.

"To land in the top 15 of her first ever national championship meet is great," Jerome proclaimed. "We are excited about her future and the fact that she will have three more opportunities to race at this meet."

Watterdal, the only male skier at nationals for the Nanooks, faired well in his 10K classic race. Watterdal skied to a 26^th place finish in a time of 25:43.9.

"Oyvind [Watterdal] represented our school and conference very well today," said Jerome. "He was only a couple of seconds out of the top 20; it was one his better races of the year."

Twins Julia Pierson and Anna Coulter finished the 5K in 21^st and 38^th place, respectively. Pierson clocked in at 15:11.9, and Coulter finished with a time of 16:09.2.

The 1-2 finishers in the freestyle technique at the CCSA Regional Championships two weeks ago, Pierson and Coulter are more than likely to finish higher up in the standings on Saturday in the women's 15K freestyle race.

"I would like to see both of them in the top 10," Jerome said.

The women's 5K classic champion was Antje Maempel of the University of Denver with a time of 13:54.2. Juergen Uhl of Vermont was crowned the men's 10K classic champion as he finished 11 second clear of second place with a time of 24:14.9.

The Nanooks are back on the trails Saturday morning in the women's 15K and the men's 20K freestyle races. Tomorrow's events are Alpine only.