UW Cowgirls Win Second Leg at National Nordic Championships

For the second straight day, the University of Wyoming Nordic ski team climbed the top rung of the podium at the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSSA) national championships at Lake Placid, N.Y., home of the 1980 Winter Olympics.

With three team members placing among the top 10 in the 1.5km classic sprint race Wednesday on the Winter Olympics ski trails, the Cowgirls remained the overall leaders. The team is seeking its sixth national title, and first since 2010.

Sierra Jech of Cody again was the national individual runner-up, placing second in the 1.5km field. Casper’s Elise Sulser was right behind and Bridget Weiner, also of Casper, rounded out the top UW finishers with a ninth-place showing.

St. Olaf, of Northfield, Minn., again placed second to the Cowgirls and remained second overall to the UW women. No team points were available.

The defending national champion UW men placed second for the second straight day, finishing behind St. Olaf Wednesday. The Minnesota school remains the overall leader after two rounds of competition, while the Cowboys are second.

Four UW skiers reached the top 10, led by Casper’s Andrew Hill who placed sixth. Teammates Kyle Bochanski, from Fairfax, Vt., and Nathan Hough of Casper tied for seventh place. Coming in ninth was Casper’s Taylor Vignaroli.

No overall team points were available.

All teams have Thursday off, and skiing resumes with a 15km mass start race Friday. The meet concludes with a team sprint Saturday.