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The University of Utah Athletics
Saturday, January 15
Sun Valley, Idaho / Sun Valley Lodge
All Day
University of Utah
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5/10K Freestyle (I)
Utah Sweeps Women’s College Podium on Day 1 of MSU Invitational
1/15/2022 6:24 PM | Skiing
Laukli triumphs in collegiate season debut; Utes claim second and third spots in men’s freestyle race
SUN VALLEY, Idaho – Utah's Sophia Laukli made her collegiate season debut with a bang and notched a first-place finish, headlining a podium sweep for the Utes in a 5K freestyle race interval start, and two Utes landed on the men's 10K podium on Day 1 of the Montana State Invitational on Saturday.
Heading into a 10/15K classical distance interval start on Sunday, Utah leads the team standings with 204 points, and holds a 64-point lead on Alaska Fairbanks.
"It was a great day for the team and amazing to have nearly the whole team together for the weekend," said head Nordic coach Miles Havlick. "The race course today was very challenging with big climbs and twisting downhills. It was also much colder than forecast, which was a surprise to everyone this morning. Nonetheless, everyone threw down some big results and great NCAA qualifying results today."
On the women's side, Laukli was followed up in second place by Novie McCabe and in third by Sydney Palmer-Leger. McCabe was also racing with the Utes for the first time this season, with her and Laukli having last raced at the Tour de Ski in Italy early last week. Julia Richter rounded out a Utah dominance among the top-10 with a ninth-place effort.
The Utah men nearly matched the podium feat in their 10K freestyle race. Walker Hall took the second-place spot as a true freshman in just his third college start, and Samuel Hendry, making his college season debut, claimed the third spot fresh off of Nor-Am racing in Canada. Brian Bushey locked in ninth for the Utes and Luke Jager was back in action, finishing 11th after returning from World Cup competition.
"Sophia, Novie and Luke are hot off some fast races in Europe, adjusting to the time zone, recovering from the travel and staying healthy has been a challenge, but they have taken it all in stride and put up some incredible results today. It was also great to have a few back from illness. And of course, Walker Hall finishing in second place as a true freshman was truly outstanding. We are looking forward to another big day tomorrow on the classic boards!"
Palmer-Leger has hit the podium in all four college races this season, having won the first three across the Utah Invitational (Jan. 2, Jan. 6) and extra RMISA qualifier (Jan. 7).
Follow Utah skiing on social media (@utahskiteam).
Gallery: (1-15-2022) Skiing: MSU Invitational (1/15/22)
Heading into a 10/15K classical distance interval start on Sunday, Utah leads the team standings with 204 points, and holds a 64-point lead on Alaska Fairbanks.
"It was a great day for the team and amazing to have nearly the whole team together for the weekend," said head Nordic coach Miles Havlick. "The race course today was very challenging with big climbs and twisting downhills. It was also much colder than forecast, which was a surprise to everyone this morning. Nonetheless, everyone threw down some big results and great NCAA qualifying results today."
On the women's side, Laukli was followed up in second place by Novie McCabe and in third by Sydney Palmer-Leger. McCabe was also racing with the Utes for the first time this season, with her and Laukli having last raced at the Tour de Ski in Italy early last week. Julia Richter rounded out a Utah dominance among the top-10 with a ninth-place effort.
The Utah men nearly matched the podium feat in their 10K freestyle race. Walker Hall took the second-place spot as a true freshman in just his third college start, and Samuel Hendry, making his college season debut, claimed the third spot fresh off of Nor-Am racing in Canada. Brian Bushey locked in ninth for the Utes and Luke Jager was back in action, finishing 11th after returning from World Cup competition.
"Sophia, Novie and Luke are hot off some fast races in Europe, adjusting to the time zone, recovering from the travel and staying healthy has been a challenge, but they have taken it all in stride and put up some incredible results today. It was also great to have a few back from illness. And of course, Walker Hall finishing in second place as a true freshman was truly outstanding. We are looking forward to another big day tomorrow on the classic boards!"
Palmer-Leger has hit the podium in all four college races this season, having won the first three across the Utah Invitational (Jan. 2, Jan. 6) and extra RMISA qualifier (Jan. 7).
Follow Utah skiing on social media (@utahskiteam).
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