Buffs In Fourth At WSC Invitational

CRESTED BUTTE -

The University of Colorado ski team is in fourth place but there's a logjam at the top of the standings at the midway points of the Western State Invitational, completed here Friday.

Only 40 points separate the top four teams, as Utah leads with 309, followed by New Mexico (286.5), Denver (272.5) and the Buffaloes (269). It drops off at that point, with Alaska-Anchorage fifth at 202.

Junior Mia Cullman was second in the giant slalom, CU's best individual effort of the day, as she skied the two runs in 2:07.45. Utah's Lina Johansson won in 2:06.11 as the Buffs had a semi-off day in the event. Freshman Amy Beresford was Colorado's next finisher in 2:08.68 for ninth place; last week CU placed four in the top nine.

In the men's GS, Brad Hogan led the way for the Buffs, taking fourth in 2:01.76, as Utah's Pierre Olsson won in 2:01.00. The Buffs did have three in the top seven, as Michael Read finished sixth in 2:02.39 and Tahir Bisic in seventh at 2:02.50.

Utah's Katrin Smigun won her seventh straight race in claiming the women's 5k classic, posting an easy 33-second win. New Mexico's Jimmy Wvika won the men's 10k version n 29:43.2, which was good for a 41-second triumph. The Buffs were placed by Jana Rehemaa's fifth place finish in the women's event, as she posted an 18:30.1 time, with Claire Critchley taking seventh in 18:49.1. Erling Christiansen was the top men's finisher, as he grabbed sixth in 31:53.1.

CU was without the services of three of its top nordic skiers Friday due to illness, senior Norbert Pelc, sophomore Muriele Huberli and freshman Henrik Hoye, who was Colorado's athlete of the week for all sports after posting two runner up finishes last week at CU's invitational. But the Buffs didn't fare too badly considering they were missing six top 10 scoring performances from last week.

The meet concludes Saturday with the slalom and nordic freestyle races.

Western State Invitational Team Scores 1. Utah 309; 2. New Mexico 286.5; 3. Denver 272.5; 4. COLORADO 269; 5. Alaska-Anchorage 202; 6. Western State 151; 7. Whitman 116; 8. Nevada 103; 9. Montana State 66.

Men's 10K Classical--1. Jimmy Vika, UNM, 29:43.2; 2. Zach Violett, Utah, 30:24.9; 3. Ryan Quinn, Utah, 31:35.2; 4. Zack Simons, Utah, 31:50.1; 5. Martin Bartnes, DU, 31:50.3. CU Finishers: 6. Erling Christiansen, 31:53.1; 13. Josh Smullin, 33:07.2; 16. Nick Sterling, 33:28.3.

Women's 10 Freestyle--1. Katrin Smigun, Utah, 17:28.3; 2. Martina Stursova, UNM, 18:01.1; 3. Kristina Strandberg, UNM, 18:21.1; 4. Jenny Wissting, UNM, 18:27.2; 5. Jana Rehemaa, CU, 18:30.1. Other CU Finishers: 7. Claire Critchley, 18:49.1; 21. Brooke Rygg, 21:10.5.

Women's Giant Slalom--1. Lina Johansson, Utah, 2:06.11; 2. Mia Cullman, CU, 2:07.45; 3. Jennifer Shively, UNM, 2:07.46; 4. Barbara Knor, DU, 2:07.84; 5. Kathrin Spendier, UNM, 2:08.13. Other CU Results: 9. Amy Beresford, 2:08.68; 11. Erika Hogan, 2:09.10; 18. Erin McEachren, 2:10.44; 22. Tove Pashkowski, 2:11.29; 27. Sarah Fischer, 2:13.18.

Men's Giant Slalom--1. Pierre Olsson, Utah, 2:01.00; 2. Chris Berg, DU, 2:01.40; 3. David Duncan, UAA, 2:01.58; 4. Brad Hogan, CU, 2:01.76; 5. Benjamin Thornhill, Utah, 2:02.23. Other CU Finishers: 6. Michael Read 2:02.39; 7. Tahir Bisic, 2:02.50; 15. Tyler Shepherd, 2:03.55; 19. Fritz Ernemann, 2:04.32; 25. Jed Schuetze, 2:05.30.