COLERAINE, Minn. – Sophomore #Julia Curry# (So.-Woodbury, Minn.) wasn't sure she would be racing at all at the beginning of the season, let alone leading the Saints' efforts. An illness sidelined her from the Saints' training regimen nearly through the first month of snow pack, but today, Curry delivered a solid performance on the comeback trail, finishing 18th among college skiers and 32nd overall in the USSA Supertour women's 10 kilometer classic with a time of 35:31.7.

Sweden's Kristina Strandberg, skiing for the Saab Factory Team, handily outclassed the field in a time of 29:40.8, while Northern Michigan University's Laura DeWitt led the collegiate field in a time of 31:32.0. The Saints remaining scorers in the CCSA competition were junior #Megan Holmes# (Jr.-Gilbert, Minn./Mesabi East) (28th, 36:46.0), and #Katherine Mueller# (Fr.-Brainerd, Minn.) (39:59.7).

“It was nice to see Julia step it up one more notch this weekend,” said Saints Head Coach Chad Salmela. “I could see glimmers of what I think she can do last weekend at St. John's, but I know we can't expect too much with her illness this fall. With her, we'll just take it one race at a time and let the cards fall where they may. Megan had a big fall and lost her ski, so that was a real tough thing for her to overcome. I hope tomorrow will be a better day for her.”

The Saints continue the CCSA regional qualifier in Coleraine tomorrow with the women's 10km Freestyle.


CCSA Regional Qualifier
Coleraine, MN

1 DeWitt, Laura Northern Michigan 31:32.0
2 Soderman, Marie Helen Northern Michigan 31:52.1
3 Gillis, Christina Northern Michigan 32:11.9
4 Quinley, Elizabeth Michigan Tech 32:14.2
5 Freeman, Carolyn UWGB 32:47.3
6 Chaudoin, Kelly Gustavus Adolphus 33:01.7
7 Fjeldheim, Ingrid Northern Michigan 33:03.0
8 Bergland, Anna Northern Michigan 33:15.8
9 Klein, Jenna Michigan Tech 33:28.3
10 Smith, Jill Michigan Tech 33:52.0
18 Curry, Julia St. Scholastica 35:31.7
28 Holmes, Megan St. Scholastica 36:46.0
44 Mueller, Katherine St. Scholastica 39:59.7
47 Lund, Caroline St. Scholastica 40:36.2
48 Donars, Amelia St. Scholastica 40:48.3

Team Scores
1 NMU 87
2 MTU 74
3 UWGB 60
4 GAC 55
5 CSB 41
5 STO 41
7 CSS 34
8 SCSU 27
9 NOR 7