HOUGHTON, Mich. (csssaints.com) -- Chris Parr (Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS) hasn't worn the blue and gold of St. Scholastica since February 2014, as he chose not to use a year of eligibility last season. Since that time Parr continued to improve his skiing independently of the program. So it was with great anticipation that he took the start officially a Saint again in the U.S. Nationals 15km classic Saturday in Houghton.  He didn't disappoint, posting a 43^rd place finish overall, good for sixth in the CCSA conference, posting a time 43:39.5. The 15km U.S. Nationals event doubles as an NCAA qualifier for the central region as well as a CCSA conference meet. 

Alaska Pacific University's (non-NCAA) Scott Patterson won overall in a time 40:26.4. Alberta World Cup Academy's Kevin Sandau was second in 40:45.4, as a Canadian guest competitor. Northern Michigan's Adam Martin posted arguably the best performance of his career in third overall with 40:47.0, second in the U.S.Championship and subsequently won the CCSA event.

Northern Michigan swept the CCSA top 5 ahead of par, with Ian Torchia, seventh overall and second in the CCSA in 41:14.2, while NCAA defending classic champion, Fredrik Schwencke finished 21^st overall and rounded out the CCSA podium in 41:57.1.

For the Saints, Joe Dubay (Coon Rapids, Minn./Andover HS), finished 76^th overall and 16^th in the CCSA in a time of 45:05.0, and Ryan St. Clair (Bend, Ore./Summit HS (Walla Walla)) rounded out the scoring for the Saints in 100^th overall and 23^rd in his first CCSA start in 46:13.7. The Saints finished fourth behind NMU, Alaska, and Michigan Tech.

Parr said he was antsy to get going with the first Nationals race, but learned from his early time trials to not start too hard.  "I knew I wanted to ease into the race," said Parr.  "The first big climb I caught the guy (starting) in front of me and I was going really easy, so I knew it was going to be a good race."  Parr credited great ski prep by the coaches as well.  "Our skis were great.  I tried them and wanted a little more kick so I brought them back (for more kick wax), and that was perfect.  A little more kick on this course is worth it."

Head coach Chad Salmela was pleased with the start of the men's CCSA season opener.  "The guys skied very solidly.  We're not on fire.  I never want us to be, but we skied respectably and that has me feeling like we're right where we want to be," said Salmela.  "I like to have at least 2 in the top 100, one in the top 50, and we did that.  We actually had 3 in the top 100.   I feel like we're where we should be at the top of our team if we do that this time of year.  So all is well."

The Saints compete Monday in the 1.5km freestyle sprint.  It is not a collegiate nor CCSA race, though it counts in the annual U.S. Nationals College Cup rankings.