KRANJ, Slovenia (Feb. 4) - UAA Nordic skiers Brian Gregg and Kasandra Rice recently competed against some of the worlds top athletes at the 2006 U-23 Cross Country World Championships held here Jan. 31-Feb. 4.

Skiing for the 12-member United States squad, Gregg (Winthrop, Wash.) and Rice (Anchorage), both competed in two events during the five-day event.

Gregg's top effort was a 52nd-place finish in the international field of 72 racers in the men's 15k classical (43:52.7), Feb. 2. The Seawolf senior also competed in today's 2x15k pursuit, clocking a time of 41:57.4 in the classic portion of the event, but did not finish the freestyle.

Rice posted a 49th-place result in the field of 52 competitors in Thursday's women's 10k classical with a time of 33:28.2. The sophomore also competed in the women's 1k sprint qualifier on Jan. 31, finishing 35th in 2:44.1. The top 30 times in the qualifier skied in the sprint final.

Gregg and Rice, who have both combined for seven top-10 finishes in collegiate races this season, will rejoin the Seawolves for the team's next meet Feb. 10-11 at the Western State Invitational in Crested Butte, Colo.