the Star-Tribune staff | Posted: Saturday, March 6, 2004 12:00 am
SUGARLOAF, Maine - The University of Wyoming women's Nordic ski team is all but assured of capturing its second consecutive United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association national championship today.
The Cowgirls have won three events this week, with only today's 3x5-kilometer relay to go.
On Friday, Jennifer Kinner spurred UW to a team victory in the 8.5K skate interval with a winning time of 23 minutes, 59 seconds, according to a release from the UW News Service. The senior from Casper won all three individual-event titles this year, repeating last season's feat at the national club-level championships.
The Cowgirls' Kristin Boroff, a junior from Pinedale, took second Friday with a time of 24:29. In fact, UW's entire contingent of six placed among the top 13.
Brooke Umphlett, a senior from Casper, was sixth with a 25:44; Melissa Gangl, a freshman from Casper, seventh, 25:48; Erika Edgely, junior, Lake Placid, N.Y., ninth, 26:27, and Ava Bell, sophomore, Laramie, 13th, 27:15.
UW's men's team must place higher than Cornell in today's relay in order to finish runner-up for the second year in a row.
Clarkson College of Potsdam, N.Y., wrapped up its second national title on Friday.
On Friday, Riley Hopeman, a junior from Lander, paced the Cowboys by finishing sixth with a time of 20:37. Justin Daraie, a junior from Casper, took eighth in 20:40. No other Cowboys ranked among the top 10.