Utah Nordic Squad Has Strong Start at Soldier Hollow
10/23/2021 2:53 PM | Skiing
Laukli hangs tight in rollerski competition with Olympic gold medalist Diggins; Jager wins in men’s 10K
MIDWAY, Utah – It was an early sign that ski season is right around the corner as members of the Utah Nordic team were at Soldier Hollow on Saturday for 10K rollerski competition as part of the Schutzenski Festival. Admist wet conditions, the Utes had strong performances on both the women's and men's sides.
Highlighting the women's side was a second-place effort from Sophia Laukli. Competing unattached, Laukli spent nearly the entire race less than a second behind winner Jessie Diggins, the Olympic gold medalist and defending World Cup champion. It was all Utah rounding out the top-five, as Novie McCabe, Sydney Palmer-Leger and Karianne Dengerud claimed the Nos. 3, 4 and 5 spots, respectively.
As the race progressed the top four in the field broke away and continued to battle. McCabe tried to make a move on Diggins at the onset of the race's final climb, but Diggins was able to counter and build separation down the stretch. In the end it was Laukli and McCabe neck-and-neck to the finish line, before Laukli emerged three seconds in front of McCabe for second place.
For the men, Utah had the top two spots on the podium with Luke Jager taking first place and Samuel Hendry in second. In fourth place was Brian Bushey.
Jager and Hendry, along with Olympian Taylor Fletcher, were at the front of the pack in the men's race. Ultimately it was Jager and Hendry breaking away at the last hill and sealing the top two spots for Utah at the podium.
Click here for complete results.
Utah opens the 2022 RMISA schedule on January 2, beginning the Utah Invitational at Soldier Hollow.
Highlighting the women's side was a second-place effort from Sophia Laukli. Competing unattached, Laukli spent nearly the entire race less than a second behind winner Jessie Diggins, the Olympic gold medalist and defending World Cup champion. It was all Utah rounding out the top-five, as Novie McCabe, Sydney Palmer-Leger and Karianne Dengerud claimed the Nos. 3, 4 and 5 spots, respectively.
As the race progressed the top four in the field broke away and continued to battle. McCabe tried to make a move on Diggins at the onset of the race's final climb, but Diggins was able to counter and build separation down the stretch. In the end it was Laukli and McCabe neck-and-neck to the finish line, before Laukli emerged three seconds in front of McCabe for second place.
For the men, Utah had the top two spots on the podium with Luke Jager taking first place and Samuel Hendry in second. In fourth place was Brian Bushey.
Jager and Hendry, along with Olympian Taylor Fletcher, were at the front of the pack in the men's race. Ultimately it was Jager and Hendry breaking away at the last hill and sealing the top two spots for Utah at the podium.
Click here for complete results.
Utah opens the 2022 RMISA schedule on January 2, beginning the Utah Invitational at Soldier Hollow.
Players Mentioned
Nordic
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Nordic
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