CABLE, Wis. (csssaints.com) -- St. Scholastica's Reitler Hodgert (Bend, Ore./Summit HS ) loves classic races. So coming off an eighth place in his favorite event, the 10km Classic, Saturday, a 15 kilometer freestyle mass start was the antithesis of Hodgert's skiing essence. But a gritty performance netted him nearly the same result, as he crossed the line ninth in the Central Collegiate Ski Association (CCSA) in 37:37.8, notching one of his career best freestyle performances.

The Northern Michigan Wildcats pulled away pulled away from the field at just over halfway to duke it out for the win and podium places. Adam Martin took the win for the second straight day over Ian Torchia, while Jake Brown claimed third.

Joe Dubay (Coon Rapids, Minn./Andover HS) claimd 17^th in 28:41.8, while Ryan St. Clair (Bend, Ore./Summit HS (Walla Walla)) stepped up to score for the Saints in 21^st in 39:20.8. The Saints dropped to fourth after a solid second place as a team Saturday.  NMU won ahead of Michigan Tech and Alaska.

Hodgert found himself falling off the back of a group after the first of three 5km loops. "I yelled at him that he has to try to make the gap up and stay on that pack, no matter what, do it now, and just hope for the best," said Saints Head Coach Chad Salmela. "I've seen too many of our skiers over the years talk themselves out of going for it to maintain contact because I think they are scared of the distance ahead, not realizing that they are capable of racing at or very close to the same effort they race shorter distances. I wanted to see that gap disappear and see Reitler take the chance."

Hodgert obliged, and made up the gap, but at some cost. "I made up that gap when [coach Salmela] told me too, but it was hard…I was afraid I wouldn't recover [from the effort] and I struggled the whole second lap, then felt better on the third."  Hodgert stayed in 14^th at the back of the second chase group until the final kilometers. He increased pace as the finish loomed and improved up five places at the finish to claim ninth in the CCSA.

Salmela was happy with the result, but more excited by the process Hodgert used to earned it. "I think this was not only a great result for Reitler, but it taught him about the gray, hairy line of racing on the edge in long mass starts. You can't just be resigned to being comfortable and conservative just because the race is longer. That's not how you win, or even do well in this kinds of races. Some days you cover the moves and the glue comes apart, but on the good days, you stay glued and that's the difference between ninth and being a factor in the race, or hurting just as bad for a little longer, skiing alone all day to 18^th."

The Saints continue NCAA qualifying next week with a 10km freestyle and 20km mass start classic hosted at Michigan Tech.