Houghton, Mich. – The Gustavus men’s and women’s nordic skiing teams competed in the first of the two-day NCAA Central Region Championships on Saturday. The afternoon’s race involved the Classic technique and saw the Gustie men to a fifth place standing, while the women sit sixth. Scott Williams (Jr., Maple Grove, Minn.) was the men’s top finisher, while Marit Sonnesyn (So., Plymouth, Minn.) led the way for the women.
After Saturday’s race, the Gustavus men sit fifth with a total of 30 team points. The Gusties currently trail Michigan Tech University by 11 points and hold an eight-point lead on St. Olaf, who is sixth with a team total of 22 points.
Scott Williams led the way for the men with a 16th place finish in a time of 32:24.7. Marcus Speca (So., Minnetonka, Minn.) followed in 26th place with a final time of 33:19.0. Finishing next was Tyler Gustafson (Jr., Grand Rapids, Minn.) in 27th after crossing the line in 33:24.1.
“Our guys skied really well today,” remarked Head Coach Jed Friedrich. “Scott gave a great effort in 16th, and as a team we did exactly what we wanted to do by kicking off the weekend with a good race and putting us ahead of UW-Green Bay and St. Olaf.”
On the women’s side, the Gusties are currently in the sixth position with 28 team points, leaving them a mere four points behind St. Olaf, who sits fifth with 32 points. Gustavus also holds an 11-point advantage on UW-Green Bay.
It was Marit Sonnesyn leading the way on Saturday afternoon for the women. Sonnesyn finished in 21st with a time of 19:01.6. Marian Lund (Sr., Duluth, Minn.) followed closely in 22nd with a time of 19:05.8. Mata Agre (So., Corcoran, Minn.) was the third Gustie to cross the line, taking 28th in 19:39.9.
“Our women had a solid race and are within striking distance of St. Olaf,” said Friedrich. “I am excited to see what they can put together in their final race.”
Both teams will be back in action tomorrow, taking part in the Freestyle technique.