Complete Results

WAUSAU, Wis. (csssaints.com) – Junior Chris Parr (Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS) qualified third in the 1.5km sprint qualifier and weathered the quarterfinals and semifinals to fulfill his qualifying spot in the finals as the top St. Scholastica skier in the college men's 1.5km freestyle sprint at the Aspirus Wausau Junior Olympic Qualifier Saturday.

Northern Michigan's Ben Hugus won the qualifier, his quarterfinal and semifinals, and was on his way to claim victory in his hometown, in the event his father established, but a pole plant between his legs brought him down with 150 meters to go, allowing second-fastest qualifier, Zach Goldberg of Dartmouth, to take the win.

Sophomore Jake Richards (Callaway, Minn./Detroit Lakes HS ) was having a stellar day, making it to the finals heat of six skiers, but fell midway through the course, taking him out of contention at the front and solidifying sixth overall.  Junior Paul Schommer (Appleton, Wis./Kimberly HS) just missed the final getting stuck in traffic down the stretch, but redeemed himself minutes later, winning the B Final to take seventh.   Sophomore Calvin Mehrhof (Coon Rapids, Minn./Coon Rapids HS ) finished third in the B final to claim ninth, Matt Lee (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji HS ) finished fourth to claim 10th on the day and put five Saints in the top 10.  Ryan Wright (Wyoming, Minn./Forest Lake HS) finished 12th to put six Saints in the top 12.

"It was a really fun day of racing," according to head coach Chad Salmela. The sprint event is not an NCAA event, but Salmela likes the effect a sprint race day has on his skiers early in the season. 

"There isn't another format that gets athletes to ski that hard over and over again. I wanted this event on my schedule because physically it's what we need and it's the best way to get what we need. Plus, it's just plain fun and great other colleges showed up too. I'm really happy with the day and how the guys skied."

The Saints finish up 2013 racing with a 10km classic to finish up the JOQ weekend in Wausau. Their next action will be the U.S. National Championships, January 4-8 in Heber City, Utah.