The Gustavus women’s nordic skiing team had its greatest performance of the season as they placed second at the fourth NCAA qualifier of the season. The qualifier took place at Camp Ripley near Little Falls, Minn. February 12-13. The Gusties compiled 141 team points to finish seven points ahead of Division I program UW-Green Bay. Northern Michigan University was the top team with 173 points.
In the 5k classic race on Saturday, Gustavus recorded 73 team points to place second overall. The Gusties had an impressive six skiers in top 20. Kelly Damrow, Chandra Daw and Laura Edlund finished in the top 10. Damrow led the Gusties by placing seventh with a time 14:37, Daw placed ninth just two seconds behind Damrow (14:39), while Edlund finished tenth just six seconds behind Damrow (14:43). The other top 20 skiers were Kathleen Dewahl in 13th place (15:07.8), Melissa Kittock in 19th place (15:40.8) and Nicole Olson in 20th place (15:44.8).
In the 10.6k freestyle race on Sunday, Coach Jed Friedrich’s squad compiled 68 team points to place third overall. The Gusties pulled together another impressive performance with six skiers placing in the top 20. Chandra Daw paced the Gusties with a time of 30:16.2 to place sixth overall. Laura Edlund placed second on the team and 11th overall with a time of 31:35.9. A pack of Gusties rounded out the top 20. Kelly Damrow placed 14th (32:03.2), Nicole Olson placed 15th (32.18.1), Kate Walker placed 16th (32.26.3) and Kathleen Dewahl placed 17th (32:37.3).
Gustavus will return to action next weekend February 19-20 in CCSA Regional Championships. The championships will take place in Houghton, Michigan.
Final Team Results
1 NMU 87 86 173
2 GAC 73 68 141
3 UWGB 64 70 134
4 STO 61 58 119
5 MTU 57 60 117
6 CSB 41 42 83
7 SCSU 27 26 53
8 FIN 27 0 27