Utah Takes Own Invitational In Convincing Fashion

Saturday, January 20, 2024 • by Curtis Snyder, RMISA

PARK CITY, Utah—The host University of Utah Utes won their own Utah Invitational Saturday, outscoring the rest of the field by almost 100 points in a dominating fashion that dates back to the Nordic races during the US National Championships in early January. As with Friday's Westminster Invitational win, the Utes entered the day with a dominating total and did enough to hang on for victory.

Colorado's Ryder Sarchett and Denver's Liv Moritz took medalist honors and led their team's to race wins, but both races were extremely tight. Sarchett was one of three Buffs in the top seven with Filip Wahlqvist fourth and Louis Fausa seventh as the Buffs picked up 96 points, winning by 17 over Montana State while Utah was third with 64 points.

Mortiz was joined near the top by DU's Sara Rask in fifth and Nora Brand in seventh to pick up 94 points, edging out Westminster by a single point. The Griffins had Hannah Saethereng in second, Evelina Fredricsson in third and Giulia Tintorri in 10th. Utah was fourth with 60 points just behind Colorado (66).

Still, the 124 points from the Utes was more than enough, holding a dominating lead coming into the final day of the meet. When it was all settled, the Utes won with 657 points, 89 ahead of Denver (568) with Colorado 98 points back with 559. Montana State (500) and Alaksa Anchorage (465) rounded out the top five.

TEAM STANDINGS (Final): 1. Utah 657; 2. Denver 568; 3. Colorado 559; 4. Montana State 500; 5. Alaska Anchorage 465; 6. Westminster 289; 7. Alaska Fairbanks 275; 8. Nevada 128; 9. Colorado Mountain 117; 10. Wyoming 112.

MEN'S GIANT SLALOM (39 collegiate finishers): 1. Ryder Sarchett, CU, 2:03.51; 2. Leon Nikic, UAA, 2:04.10; 3. Gianluca Boehm, MSU, 2:04.29; 4. Filip Wahlqvist, CU, 2:04.32; 5. Jeremie Lagier, WMC, 2:04.44.

WOMEN'S GIANT SLALOM (28 collegiate finishers): 1. Liv Moritz, DU, 2:09.20; 2. Hannah Saethereng, WMC, 2:09.54; 3. Evelina Fredriccson, WMC, 2:09.96; 4. Kaja Norbye, UU, 2:10.34; 5. Sara Rask, DU, 2:0.47.