SOLDIER HOLLOW, UTAH – The University of Alaska Anchorage ski team turned in the greatest single day of racing in school history when it had four men finish in the top-10 of the classic races today at the LL Bean US Cross Country Skiing National Championships.
The UAA men completed a 1-2-3-4 sweep of the podium in the men's race that also doubled as the classic portion of the Utah Invite, and all three UAA women finished in the top-10.
JC Schoonmaker led the UAA men and placed third overall with a time of 40:10 over the 15-kilometer course.
"Today was awesome," said JC Schoonmaker. "The conditions were tough, but we had great skis. Super fun having four guys in the top-10. This result this early in the season gives the whole team lots of confidence for the rest of the season."
Espen Persen was second collegiate and fourth overall (40:22), followed by Magnus Noroey in third (40:46) and Sigurd Roenning in fourth (40:53). Peter Hinds finished a career-best 12th.
"We are obviously thrilled with today's performances," said associate head coach Trond Flagstad. "We hit the wax right, but more importantly the skiers performed regardless of the wax. This is the best collegiate result we have ever had, and we are celebrating tonight."
Tuva Bygrave led the Seawolves in the women's 10-kilometer race with a sixth-place finish in 30:58.
Pascale Paradis was two spots behind in eighth (31:38), and Astrid Stav was ninth (31:48).
"I am super happy with the way our women skied today with all three in the top-10," said Flagstad. "Tuva is skiing where she ended last year. Pascale finished in the top-10 and that is where I expect her to be, and Astrid is coming into form."
Today's performances moved the Seawolves into second place in the team standings with 331 points, 15 points behind the host Utah.
UAA will close out competition at the US National Championships with the classic sprints Friday.
