[Complete Results]
RUMFORD, ME - The Alaska Nanooks turned in another solid day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Skiing National Championships Thursday as four skiers claimed top-15 finishes. Junior
Lex Treinen led the way, taking 7th overall in the men's senior 30 kilometer free technique race. His classmate
Tyler Kornfield finished fourth in the junior boys 10 km event to secure a roster spot on the U.S. Ski Team's World Junior Championship squad.
Due to poor snow conditions all races were run on a 2.5 km loop (11 laps for the senior men, 7 for women, 4 for the junior boys and 2 for the junior girls). "It was a dizzying affair," said head coach
Scott Jerome. "(Assistant coach) Matt (Dunlap) did a great job counting laps and keeping all racers on track."
The top collegiate skier on the day, Treinen clocked the 11-lap course in 1:11:39.6. Junior
David Norris overcame a crash and a broken ski to take 11th overall and second among collegiate racers in one hour, twelve minutes and 37.4 seconds. Rounding out Alaska's top three men was senior
Ray Sabo, who had one of his best U.S. Nationals distance races placing 34th overall.
Also crossing the tape for the Nanooks were senior
John Parry and junior Erik Soederstroem in 40th (1:16:53.3) and 53rd(1:19:26.2), respectively.
On the women's side sophomore
Raphaela Sieber led the Nanooks once again in 13th overall (53:16.7) and third among collegiate athletes in the 20 km free technique race. Junior
Theresia Schnurr was second for the Blue and Gold and 27th overall in 55 minutes and 56.1 seconds and sophomore
Marit Rjabov rounded out the top three with a solid 39th place (57:57.3).
Juniors
Rebecca Konieczny (41st, 58:28.1) and
Crystal Pitney (47th, 1:00:25.3) also represented Alaska in the event.
In the junior boys (Under 20) race sophomore Kornfield was ousted a podium finish by one second, taking fourth with a course time of 25 minutes and 32.1 seconds. He will represent Team USA later this month in Estonia at the World Junior Championships. Sophomore
Heather Edic took 22nd in the junior girls 5k race.
Following what Jerome called a "much needed day off" tomorrow, the Nanooks return to the trails on Saturday for free technique sprints.
