RESULTSDULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) - Entering
Saturday's Minnesota College Skiing Championship 3x5km freestyle relay
Saturday at Snowflake Nordic Center, the St. Scholastica men skiers faced protecting a winning streak that goes back to the impetus of the program. The pressure for a ninth straight title didn't affect CSS 1 however, as
Joe Dubay (Coon Rapids, Minn./Andover HS),
Jake Richards (Callaway, Minn./Detroit Lakes HS ) and
Paul Schommer (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly HS) cruised to a 54 second win over St. Olaf, after an early challenge from Gustavus Adolphus.
Dubay led nearly from wire-to-wire on leg one, but tagged
Jake Richards (Callaway, Minn./Detroit Lakes HS ) with company from Gustavus' Scott Williams just 1.2 seconds back. Second leg
Jake Richards (Callaway, Minn./Detroit Lakes HS ), however, took control and the outcome was never truly in doubt after Richards tagged 44 seconds in the lead over Tyler Gustafson for Gustavus.
It was really Jake Brown from St. Olaf the Saints had to worry about, but Brown was tagged third at the second exchange, 57 seconds in arrears, which gave Schommer breathing room. In the end, Brown did post the fastest time of the day, 3.5 seconds faster than that of Schommer, in the process eclipsing their rival Gusties for second spot overall and in the championship. Gustavus held on for third.
"I have to say I was really impressed with Gustavus today and mostly just worried about whether or not Jake Brown could see Paul at the final exchange," said Saints head coach
Chad Salmela. "In the end, we skied really well. Joe was solid to start, Jake really opened it up, and Paul didn't have to worry."
On his team's perfect streak in the event, Salmela was philosophical. "This event was a starter for us. Back in 2007, we were the new team on the block, and our guys came in and won it. That was kind of like the ignition switch for this program's identity. To me, while the event is low key and mostly a fun event, it means something to this program, as I see it. Maybe it won't anymore when I'm gone and not the coach here anymore. But I am proud that we've won nine straight titles, and I want us to win at 10th next season. Minnesota is a skiing state, and it means something to be the best here."
The Saints host the Central Collegiate Ski Association (CCSA) Conference Championship for the relay and sprint next weekend at Spirit Mountain in Duluth.
