ISHPEMING, Mich. (csssaints.com) -- Odds were good that St. Scholastica's
Reitler Hodgert (Bend, Ore./Summit HS ) would qualify for the 2016 NCAA Skiing Championship heading into Sunday's final qualifying race, the 20 kilometer classic mass start. Coming off a career-best third in Saturday's 10km freestyle—historically his weaker technique—Hodgert just needed to deliver a solid performance, and he did just that. He locked up his spot, staying with the leaders most of the race, crossing the line sixth in a time of 1:01:27.5.
Michael Feherenbach of Alaska-Fairbanks spoiled Northern Michigan's Jake Brown's assault on a double regionals win, passing Brown with 30 meters left to claim victory in 1:01:01.8 to Brown's 1:01:02.8. Michigan Tech's Gaspard Cuenot rounded out the podium in third in 1:01:06.6.
Chris Parr (Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS) struggled to recover from an early fall after being lodged squarely in the lead pack. His efforts to regain his position caused a bit of coming apart, followed by a resurgence to finish 17th in 1:03:45.1.
Jake Richards (Callaway, Minn./Detroit Lakes HS ) rounded out the Saints scoring in 21st in a time of 1:04:15.0. The finish line also marked the end of both Parr's and Richards' careers as Saints, as well as that of
Joe Dubay (Coon Rapids, Minn./Andover HS) who ended the day in 26th.
The Saints finished fourth on the day behind a surging Alaska, Northern Michigan, and Michigan Tech. They also finished fourth for the championship.
"Reitler just summed up in one weekend what his season has been—solid," according to Saints head coach
Chad Salmela. His fitness hasn't wavered a bit this year and he's having his best races when we want them. I always say, if you're going to go to NCAAs, it's only worth it if you can be at your best. This weekend was solid and Reitler's best of the year. That's how you want to go into an NCAA Championship."
Hodgert's imminent nomination to the NCAA Championship be official February 29th when the NCAA announces all qualifiers. It keeps the Saints ski season alive for another three weeks, but the Regionals brings to an end an era in Saints skiing with the graduation of Parr, Richards, and Dubay.
"Those three seniors have been a backbone of this team for nearly half of the program's existence," waxed Salmela. "It's almost like losing family. It's a little emotional. These guys took a chance on a ski program and a college that was just establishing itself, and that was not lost on me. I'll miss these guys."
The NCAA Skiing Championships are next for Hodgert, March 9-12, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, hosted by the University of Colorado, pending official nomination from the Central Region.
