The Gustavus nordic skiing teams opened their 2006 seasons at the United States Ski Association (USSA) United States Cross Country National Championships at Soldier Hollow Ski Area near Salt Lake City, Utah.
Only four Gusties competed in the U.S. Nationals, which serves as the first of five Central Collegiate Ski Association (CCSA) qualifiers for the 2006 NCAA National Collegiate Skiing Championships. In the women’s 10K classic, senior Chandra Daw (Duluth, Minn.) finished 128th in a time of 44:43.7, while junior Nicole Olson (Elk River, Minn.) finished 131st in a time of 45:12.2. Daw recorded another strong finish in Sunday’s 5K freestyle race, finishing 72nd with a 16:47.1 clocking. Olson finished 124th in the freestyle with a time of 18:01.2.
Seniors Erich Ziegler (Crystal Falls, Mich.) and Andy Rishavy (Alexandria, Minn.) competed for the Gustavus men’s team at the U.S. Nationals. Ziegler had the best individual placing on the weekend for the Gusties, finishing the 10K freestyle race in 58th place with a time of 28:50.9. Rishavy added a 111th-place finish in the freestyle with a 30:00.8 clocking. Ziegler also recorded the better finish in Saturday’s 15K classic, placing 133rd (49:50.6) compared to Rishavy’s 144th place finish (50:14.8).
Gustavus will travel to Madison, Wisconsin this weekend to participate in the Capitol Square Sprints. The best athletes from North America will circle the Wisconsin State Capitol in the heart of downtown Madison. The race will be part of the SuperTour and is the first qualifier for the 2006 U.S. Olympic Ski Team.
Gustavus Results
Women’s 10K Classic – Saturday, Jan. 7
128. Chandra Daw…..44:43.7
131. Nicole Olson…….45:12.2
Men’s 15K Classic – Saturday, Jan. 7
133. Erich Ziegler……49:50.6
144. Andy Rishavy….50:14.8
Women’s 5K Freestyle – Sunday, Jan. 8
72. Chandra Daw……16:47.1
124. Nicole Olson……..18:01.2
Men’s 10K Freestyle – Saturday, Jan. 8
58. Erich Ziegler…….28:50.9
111. Andy Rishavy……30:00.8