UW Nordic Ski Teams Sweep Opening Races

January 27, 2009

The University of Wyoming Nordic ski teams swept their respective divisions in the recent opening competition at Snow Mountain Ranch, near Granby, Colo.

The Cowboys captured the top three positions to earn a team-low six points while the Cowgirls matched the same point total and place finishers.

Eliah Pederson, freshman, Lander; Daniel Lewis, junior, Jackson; and Matt Hall, freshman, Casper, took the top three positions in the 7.5 kilometer (km) classic race. Also placing among the top 10 for the UW men's team were Michael Fitzgerald, sophomore, Laramie; and Adam Karges, sophomore, Grand Rapids, Minn.

Taking the first three places in the women's competition were UW team members Gwynn Barrows, junior, Laramie; Gracey Lewis, freshman, Jackson; and Kari Boroff, senior, Daniel. Marie Cartwright, sophomore, Lander; Shannon Wilson, junior, Casper; and Ava Bell, graduate student, Laramie, were sixth through eighth place to finish in the top 10.

The next day both UW cross country ski teams swept the 15km skate race at Devil's Thumb Ranch near Fraser, Colo. This will be the site of the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) Nationals in March. Both the UW men and women placed third at last season's USCSA Nationals.

The Cowboys scored a team-low 10 points to capture first place, while the UW women again scored a half dozen points to win their division in the 15km race.

Individually, Pederson placed first overall to lead the Cowboys. UW men then took the fourth through eighth places. Fitzgerald placed fourth followed by Cowboy teammates Grigory Kolesov, graduate student from Russia, Hall, Justin Kinner, junior, Casper; and Lewis.

Barrows, Lewis and Boroff again paced the Cowgirls in the 15km women's competition by sweeping the top three positions. Cartwright and Wilson were fifth and sixth place, respectively, followed in order by Morgan Cropsey, freshman, Casper; Bell; and Catherine Schmidt, freshman, Laramie.

Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2009

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