The Gustavus men’s nordic skiing team traveled to Grand Rapids, Minn. to compete in the second NCAA qualifier of the season. The competition took place Saturday, January 22 and Sunday, January 23 at Mt. Itasca. The Gusties compiled 60 team points to finish fifth out of seven teams. The University of Alaska-Fairbanks won the qualifier with a total of 132 points.
Coach Jed Friedrich’s squad compiled 28 points on Saturday afternoon in the freestyle race to place fifth overall. All six Gusties finished within 1:30 of each other. Seniors Erich Ziegler and Dan Kueffer led the way for the Gusties. Ziegler placed 20th with a time of 31:11.72 and Kueffer placed 23rd with a time of 31:26.59. First-year Lorin Skogland was one second behind Kueffer to place 24th with a time of 31:27.69.
In the classic race on Sunday, the Gusties placed fifth overall with 32 points. Seniors Erich Ziegler and Nate Porath paced the squad. Ziegler recorded a time of 30.36.63 to place 20th overall, while Porath placed second on the team and 22nd overall with a time of 30:57.97.
Gustavus will return to action next weekend in the third NCAA qualifier of the season in Cable, Wis.