MIDWAY, Utah— Utah and Colorado continued to separate themselves from the field on Sunday at the Utah Invitational, trading blows in the 15K classic races as the two programs finished 1-2 in both events and extended their advantage in the overall team standings.
Utah earned both individual victories on the day, led by Erica Laven in the women’s race and Mons Melbye in the men’s race, but Colorado matched the Utes with depth across the podium. The Buffaloes recorded three podium finishes, with Jakob Moch and Astri Lunde both finishing second and Nina Schamberger adding a third-place result in the women’s race.
The men’s race featured another tight battle between the two teams, as Melbye claimed the win for Utah while Colorado placed three skiers inside the top nine. Moch led the Buffs with his runner-up finish, followed by Storm Pedersen in fifth and Johannes Flaaten in ninth, as Colorado posted the top team score in the race.
On the women’s side, Utah secured the team win behind a 1-4-5 finish, while Colorado countered with three skiers inside the top 10 to keep the margin close. At the conclusion of the Nordic events, Colorado holds a 26-point lead over Utah as the meet turns its focus to the alpine races later this season.
TEAM SCORES (THRU NORDIC EVENTS): 1. Colorado, 369; 2. Utah, 343; 3. Montana State, 258; 4. Denver, 253; 5. Alaska Fairbanks, 215; 6. Alaska Anchorage, 206.
MEN’S 15K CLASSIC: 1. Mons Melbye, Utah, 36:27.6; 2. Jakob Moch, Colorado, 36:35.3; 3. Corbin Carpenter, Alaska Anchorage, 36:43.4; 4. Ben Dohlby, Alaska Fairbanks, 36:47.1; 5. Storm Pedersen, Colorado, 37:20.9; 6. Hermod Bangstad, Alaska Anchorage, 37:21.0; 7. Eemil Juntunen, Denver, 37:21.5; 8. Simon Chappaz, Montana State, 37:22.1; 9. Johannes Flaaten, Colorado, 37:22.5; 10. Grey Barbier, Montana State, 37:22.6.
WOMEN’S 15K CLASSIC: 1. Erica Laven, Utah, 42:00.0; 2. Astri Lunde, Colorado, 42:54.0; 3. Nina Schamberger, Colorado, 42:57.5; 4. Ally Wheeler, Utah, 43:39.6; 5. Sofia Pedersen, Utah, 43:58.8; 6. Katey Houser, Montana State, 44:06.2; 7. Witta Walcher, Utah, 44:16.4; 8. Maja Moland, Denver, 44:54.8; 9. Anna Stewart, Denver, 44:59.5; 10. Selma Nevin, Colorado, 45:06.3.
| Date | Race |
|---|---|
| Jan. 24 | Women's 7.5K Freestyle |
| Jan. 24 | Men's 7.5K Freestyle |
| Jan. 25 | Women's 15K Classic |
| Jan. 25 | Men's 15K Classic |
| Feb. 22 | Women's Giant Slalom |
| Feb. 22 | Men's Giant Slalom |
| Feb. 24 | Women's Slalom |
| Feb. 24 | Men's Slalom |