University of Utah Athletics

ANCHORAGE – Martin Bergström earned his first win of the season to lead the Utah ski team in the freestyle sprint at the U.S. Cross Country Championships on Friday afternoon.
 
The U.S. Cross Country Championship races are being held independent of a team meet and races are not scored, but results will be used for NCAA qualification.
 
Bergström, the reigning NCAA champion in the 10-km classic and 20-km freestyle, has three career victories. Three Utah skiers finished in the top 10, with Håkon Hjelstuen placing fifth and Logan Diekmann finishing sixth. Bjørn Riksaasen finished 15^th for the Utes.
 
The women were led by a 12^th-place finish from Mariah Bredal while Guro Jordheim finished 16th. Leah Lange placed 27^th with Karianne Moe in 28^th.
 
Notable in the overall results was former Ute Kevin Bolger, who placed second. Bolger won the sprint classic at last year's U.S. Championships.
 
The alpine teams get underway on Saturday, Jan. 6, at Big Sky Resort in Montana with the RMISA giant slalom alpine qualifier, followed by the Montana State Invitational slalom and giant slalom races from Jan. 7-8. Races can be followed at http://ussalivetiming.com/.
 
The Nordic teams are back on snow next weekend at the Montana State Invitational, Jan. 13-14.