The Gustavus women’s nordic ski team compiled 60 points to take seventh place among competing Central Collegiate Ski Association (CCSA) colleges at the Central Super Tour races held at Theodore Wirth Park Friday and Saturday in Minneapolis, Minn. Erica Hett was the top Gustavus skier, finishing 27th (14:50.1) among college skiers in Saturday’s 5km freestyle race and 15th (32:36.2) on Sunday in the 10km classic. Northern Michigan University was the top team with 141 overall points on the weekend.
The Gustie women skiers scored 30 points on Saturday to finish seventh among competing colleges. Northern Michigan totaled 72 points to lead after day one, while the University of Alaska-Fairbanks tallied 69 points to take second, and Michigan Tech University took third with 56 points. Erin Eppler and Danielle Burgmeier were the other top Gustavus finishers on Saturday. Eppler finished 61st overall (15.00.7) as Burgmeier finished 69th (15:15.5).
Gustavus was hurt by the absence of Erin Eppler, who was unable to race due to sickness, on Sunday in the 10 km classic, as the team compiled 30 points to finish seventh among competing colleges. Northern Michigan was the top team Sunday as well, totaling 69 points. Along with Hett, Cassandra Brady and Burgmeier were the top Gustavus skiers. Brady finished 32nd among college skiers with a time of 34:58.9, as Burgmeier finished behind her in 33rd with a time of 35:12.4. Erica Hett’s time in the classic was the third fastest in the junior division.
This past weekend was the second of five NCAA National Qualifiers of the season. Throughout the season, each skier uses their two best classic and freestyle races for qualification for the NCAA Nationals.
The Gustavus women’s nordic ski team will travel to Cable, Wisc. next weekend to compete in the third NCAA Qualifier on Saturday and Sunday.
Team Results (Unofficial)
Saturday Women’s Freestyle
NMU 72
UAF 69
MTU 56
UWGB 44
CSS 38
CSB 32
GAC 30
SCSU 28
Olaf 11
Sunday Women’s Classic
NMU 69
MTU 68
UAF 67
CSS 42
CSB 38
UWGB 34
GAC 30
SCSU 15
Olaf 15
Women’s Overall Score
NMU 141
UAF 136
MTU 124
CSS 80
UWGB 78
CSB 70
GAC 60
SCSU 43
Olaf 26