McPhetres, Schnurr pace Nanooks at Central Region Championships

February 26, 2013

University Relations

Jamie Foland
907-474-6807

Despite a day that proved tricky for waxing, sophomore Alyson McPhetres (Chugiak, Alaska/Spanish and Geological Engineering) and senior Theresia Schnurr (Buhlertal, Germany/Biochemistry) finished first and second, respectively, to lead the Alaska Nanooks in the women's five-kilometer classic event at the NCAA Central Region Championships on Saturday morning at the Michigan Tech Nordic ski trails.

McPhetres was the first collegiate finisher, completing the 5K lap in 17 minutes and 38.4 seconds, besting Schnurr (17:50.7) by 12.3 seconds for the top podium spot. For Schnurr it was a breakout race and marked her first trip to the podium on the season.

Rounding out Alaska's scoring squad was senior Crystal Pitney (Fairbanks, Alaska/Business Administration), who finished seventh in 18:08.2.

Junior Heather Edic (Fairbanks, Alaska/Civil Engineering) was next to cross for the Nanooks in 18:39.9 (12th), followed by junior Raphaela Sieber (Vöhrenbach, Germany/Business Administration) in 18:53.4 (13th) and senior Rebecca Konieczny (West Yellowstone, Mont./Biological Sciences) in 22:51.9 (34th).

Sieber and Konieczny both fell victim to conditions that didn't agree with their was, causing their skis to ice up and completely stop them about three kilometers in to the race. It was a tough blow for the Nanook duo, who had both been among the top eight skiers after the first two kilometers and the first uphill.

"It was a very tricky wax day, especially for the women's race which followed the men's race by two hours," said Alaska coach Scott Jerome. "We  had both snow and sun today, just below freezing - nasty conditions for a classic race."

With three of the top seven finishers, Alaska is in the lead in the Central Region standings heading into Sunday's 10K mass start freestyle race. Alaska leads rival Northen Michigan 65-62, while Michigan Tech is in third with 53 points.