The defending national champion CU ski team is making its mark in early season events.
The Buffs finished second in the CU Invitational/Spencer Nelson Memorial and remained in second after the first leg of the University of Denver Invitational. In both events, CU fell short to the University of Utah.
CU freshmen were the standouts of the invitationals, with Rune Oedegaard finishing third in the men’s 15K classical race at the CU Invitational, and Shane McLean finishing second in the women’s giant slalom at the DU Invitational.
The Buff's ski team has started their season strong looking to defend their national championship title. (CU Independent Graphic/Adam Milner)
“In Shane, a star was born today,” CU coach Richard Rokos said to the CU Sports Information Department. “It was an outstanding result.”
Oedegaard’s third place time was 40:32.8, which was 18 seconds behind the leaders that ended in a sprint finish between Montana State’s David Norris (40:14.6) and Utah’s Miles Havlick (40:15.0).
Oedegaard had to change his poles five times during the race, which may have been a factor in his receiving third place.
“Rune had four or five changes of poles, and when you do that, it takes a little time and then you’re playing catch up,” CU Nordic coach Bruce Cranmer said. “It has a solid impact on him, it just wore him out a little bit. He felt like he could’ve been at minimum fighting with the lead pack to win the race, at least be in the hunt with those guys.”
Utah took home first place at the CU Invitational/Spencer Nelson Memorial with 896 points, followed up by Colorado with 872 and Alaska Anchorage with 741. DU got fourth place with 732 points, and their own invitational has been another relentless fight between the Buffs and the Utah Utes.
After the alpine portion of the Denver Invitational ended Sunday afternoon, Utah lead the pack with 456 points with the Buffaloes just behind at 429. The 27 point differential is just about the same amount that the Utes had over the Buffs in the CU Invitational alpine events.
CU sophomore Fletcher McDonald was the Buffs’ highest male performer, finishing at fifth place in the giant slalom race (1:27.73).
CU sophomore Andreas Haug was in sixth place after his first giant slalom run, but lost his ski in the beginning of his second run and could not complete the event.
“Overall the guys had a good race,” Rokos said. “Andreas lost his ski and that’s out of his control, just one of those things that happens sometimes. He has shown a lot of improvement in GS and has been skiing well in slalom as well, so hopefully things come together for him.”
CU’s Erika Ghent finished second in the women’s giant slalom (1:29.70), despite starting the race in the 21st position.
“For Erika it was a good comeback, not by her ability but by her points and starting position,” Rokos said. “Coming from a starting position in the 20s it is nearly impossible to win a race and she almost did just that.”
The DU Invitational will conclude with Nordic races on Friday and Saturday of next week at Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, Colo. The Buffs are now looking to close in on their Pac-12 rival, Utah.
“We’re not leaving a big margin of error for the Nordic squad,” Rokos said. “But we took care of everybody except Utah, and they are in striking distance for them. Let’s hope they can take care of Utah next weekend.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Joseph Wirth at Joseph.wirth@colorado.edu.
