MINNEAPOLIS (csssaints.com) -- Kelsey Dickinson (Winthrop, Wash./Liberty Bell HS) continued to lead the St. Scholastica women skiers as well as keep her hat in the ring for an NCAA Championship berth, finishing 11th in 27:23.7, in the Central Collegiate Ski Association (CCSA) Championship 10km mass start classic Saturday at Wirth Park. 

Northern Michigan's Vivian Hett took the win in 26:02.7, edging teammate Nicole Schneider in a photo finish of the same official time. The Wildcats scored perfectly with Felicia Gesior third in 26:14.6.

Ellie Evans (New Hope, Minn./Robbinsdale Cooper HS) posted one of her best finishes of the year in 14th in 27:45.0, while Allison Ternes (Vadnais Heights, Minn./White Bear Lake HS) finished 19th in 28:29.0 to round out the Saints scoring.  The Saints edged Michigan Tech by one point for third behind NMU and Alaska.

"Decent race today," said Dickinson. "I'm having a little trouble skiing strongly over the tops of hills so that's where [the skiers around her] put time on me."

"Kelsey just keeps churning out consistent performances," said Saints head coach Chad Salmela. "If there is one thing about this season that is great for Kelsey it is that she is sustaining her performance level better than she ever has. She's consistent, and that's a big step for her. That'll be the key if she qualifies for NCAAs."

Evans laid down another great performance at Wirth as well. "Ellie skis classic here so well," said Salmela. "With UAF so strong and a full CCSA field, this was one of Ellie's best CCSA races yet. This is her course."

The Saints wrap up the CCSA Championships tomorrow with a 10km freestyle at Wirth Park.