Race Results
IRONWOOD, Mich. – On a tough course in a tough field, junior #Megan Holmes# (
Jr.-Gilbert, Minn./Mesabi East) finished 24th overall today in the women's 5 kilometer freestyle at the Grandview XC Challenge USSA NRL in Ironwood, Mich., meeting the standard of sub 3:15 per kilometer to punch her ticket to Anchorage.
Holmes came into the 2008-09 season with a clear goal: meet the team standard to compete at the U.S. National Skiing Championships in Anchorage, Alaska, the first week of January. Last weekend, fighting a cold, Holmes was unable to race and her chances of qualifying dropped to two races this weekend in Ironwood. Holmes finished 14th among CCSA collegiate racers and with at time of 15:55.4, 1:33 behind winner, Laura Dewitt of Northern Michigan University in 14:22.3. The Saints' #Ellen Anderson# (J
r.-Ely, Minn.) finished second on the squad in 46th, with #Julia Curry# (
So.-Woodbury, Minn.) rounding out the Saints' top three in 62nd.
"I like when athletes set their sights on a standard and achieve it, and Megan did that today despite not feeling like she had the best race," said Saints' Head Coach,
Chad Salmela. "It will be a great experience for her to make the trip to Nationals in Anchorage."
The Saints continue tomorrow in the women's 10km classic.
Grandview XC Challenge
Ironwood, MI
12/13/08
1. Laura Dewitt, NMU 14:22.3
2. Marie-helen Soderman, NMU 14:43.2
3. Jessie Diggins, Stillwater, MN 14:48.8
4. Jaclyn Pribyl, MTU 14:52.6
5. Carolyn Freeman, UWGB 14:53.1
6. Christine Gillis, NMU 15:03.9
7. Libby Ellis, Minneapolis, 15:05.5
8. Lindsay Marshall, UWGB 15:07.6
9. Sarah Daniels, Burnsville 15:07.7
10. Ingrid Fjeldheim, NMU 15:07.7
24. Megan Holmes (Gilbert, Minn./Mesabi East HS), CSS 15:55.2
46. Ellen Anderson (Ely, Minn./Ely HS), CSS 16:30.5
62. Julia Curry (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury HS), CSS 17:12.4
65. Melissa Kempenich (Little Falls, Minn./Little Falls HS), CSS 17:26.7
72. Amelia Donars (Ely, Minn./Ely Memorial HS), CSS 18:10.2
74. Lindsay Wallis (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury HS), CSS 18:12.1
