Ute Ski Team Takes Top Spot At MSU

Friday, January 17

Bozeman, Mont.

TBA

University of Utah

Montana Invitational (Cross Country)

1/17/2003 12:00 AM | Skiing

Jan. 17, 2003

BOZEMAN, Mont. - The University of Utah cross country team puts the Utes on top of the Montana Invitational by skiing well ahead of the competition in the opening day of the Nordic events. Currently, the Utes are in first-place overall in the invite.

"I was pretty satisfied with our performance," said Head Coach Kevin Sweeney. "Our women came out strong, but the men seemed a little tired. As a whole, it was a good team effort."

The women's squad finished the day upholding a comfortable lead in the 5 km classical event accumulating 81 points, while the second-place team Denver finished with 65. Utah placed three skiers within the top-10.

Newcomer Katrin Smigun piloted the women's attack, as she finished first once again. Smigun, a two-time Olympian, has skied in three events for the Utes thus far this season and has placed first in each of them. The junior transfer from Estonia, Otepaa has not only become a great skier for the Utes, but she is widely recognized as being one the top-skiers on the college circuit today.

Junior Sara Svendsen wasted no time, as she dowsed her way past the competition to place second in the event. Sophomore Barbro Hatlevik skied to a ninth-place finish, while teammate Ashley McQueen skied 18th. Kjersti Veum rounded out the scores by placing 29th.

"It's great to see the women's team coming together," remarked Sweeney. "This was an outstanding performance. I felt several key skiers stepped it up and we are very excited about that. Katrin is phenomenal and I was really happy to see Sara ski second today. I have to give a lot of credit to Barbro for skiing so consistently. She is just getting adjusted to the college circuit and she has been ill for several days."

The men's team finished fifth in the 10 km race, but is close behind rivals Denver and New Mexico for the 3rd- and 4th-place spots. Ryan Quinn skied ninth followed by Zack Simons who placed 11th. Freshman Jess Kiesel and Tony Bozzio gave the Utes a boost by skiing 13th and 20th.

"The men's squad skied solid in this tight field," said Sweeney. "We can anticipate better results for tomorrow. I didn't start Torin (Koos) because I felt he needed to rest. He is competing in the World Ski Championships later this month and I think he needs to gear up for that. I'm very optimistic about tomorrow. It would be fun to ran away with this invite. and I hope we can do just that."

Up next for the Ute cross country ski team will be the 10/15 km freestyle events. These races will finalize the Montana Invitational and overall scores from both the alpine and cross country teams will crown the winner of the invite. The freestyle disciplines will be skied tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 18 in Bozeman, Mont.