SOLDIER HOLLOW, UTAH – Erling Bjornstad of the University of Alaska Anchorage won the 7.5-classic race at the RMISA Championships. He is the first Seawolf to win an RMISA Championship since Leon Nikic won the giant slalom in 2023 and the first Nordic champion since Lukas Ebner won the classic race in 2011.
Bjornstad finished in 18:22, 22 seconds ahead of Storm Pedersen of Colorado who finished second.
"Overall it was a pretty solid day for us here in Utah," said associate head coach Trond Flagstad. "We are very excited to see Erling in the number one spot for the first time after several podium finishes this year. He has been consistently getting closer and closer and today it all came together. Very happy for him and the team. Feels good to have a NCAA regional champion on the team!"
Garrett Siever was 17th (20:03), and Matt Seline was 26th (20:58).
Other finishes for the Seawolves included Parke Chapin 27th (21:03), Hermod Bangstad 29th (21:22) and Ethan Eski 30th (21:24).
Alexandra Otto and Marit Flora finished 11th (25:41) and 12th (25:47) to lead the UAA women.
Hedda Halvari was 17th (27:14), Dashe McCabe 18th (27:16) and Constance Lapointe 19th (27:18).
Erica Laven of Utah won the women's race in 23:15.
Giorgio Baldo was the top finisher in the men's slalom placing 11th in 1:45.09.
Carlo Cordone was 24th (1:47.98).
Ainsley Proffit finished 13th (1:48.93) in the women's slalom.
"Kids battled today," said head coach Sparky Anderson. "Adversity has been a theme this year. I'm proud of how our group has faced it. With poise, with positivity, and absolute effort. I can't ask anything more from these Seawolves. We're giving it everything we got. One more day in the regular season, and we'll put it all out there."
Justine LaMontagne of Montana State won the women's race (1:45.21), and Alejandro Puente Tasias of Westminster won the men's race (1:43.55).
UAA is currently fifth of nine teams in the team standings.
The RMISA Championships conclude Saturday with the giant slalom and 20-kilometer freestyle races.
