The Gustavus women’s nordic ski team turned in its most impressive performance of the season as three skiers finished in the top 20 of each race at the Central Collegiate Ski Association (CCSA) Qualifier held in Marquette, Mich. on January 19-20. The Gusties posted 139 points in the 5K freestyle and 10K classic races behind first place Northern Michigan University with 171 points.
Kathleen DeWahl (Sr., St. Paul, Minn.) led the Gustavus charge on Saturday as she finished the freestyle race in 18:45.2 for 13th place. Laura Edlund (Sr., Forest Lake, Minn.) recorded a 15th place finish as she crossed the finish line with a time of 18:58.1, while Kelly Chaudoin (Jr., Ely, Minn.) finished 18th in 19:25.1. Other Gustie finishes included Kathryn Ladig (Jr., Bemidji, Minn.) in 31st (20:30.4), Erin Eppler (So., Salt Lake City, Utah) in 43rd (21:15.6), and Sarah Willis (Sr., Willmar, Minn.) in 46th (21:28.3). Julia Coulter won the race in 17:14.1. Gustavus earned 69 points for third place during the freestyle race as Northern Michigan won the freestyle competition with 85 points.
Edlund narrowly edged out DeWahl for 11th place in Sunday’s classic race by :00.5 as Edlund crossed the finish line in 37:28.4 with the staggered starts. Chaudoin completed the race in 38:50.4 for 20th place. Willis, Eppler, and Ladig finished the race within nine seconds of each other as Willis recorded a time of 40:50.6 for 37th place. Eppler earned 39th place (40:55.6) followed closely by Ladig in 40th (40:59.3). Laura DeWitt led Northern Michigan to an events sweep with 86 points as she posted a time of 34:35.3 for first place. Gustavus compiled 70 points to finish second in Sunday’s team competition.
Gustavus will compete in another CCSA qualifier on January 26-27 at Cable, Wis.