Published: Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:00 AM MST
Dartmouth junior Glenn Randall (Collbrun, CO) became the first Big Green skier in 41 years to claim an NCAA cross country ski title, winning the mens 10-kilometer freestyle race at the NCAA Mens and Womens Skiing Championships today.
Randall, whose previous best NCAA finish was fifth in the freestyle in 2006, won in 30:37.3, 11 seconds better than Alaska-Fairbanks Marius Korthauer. Colorados Jesper Ostensen was third, 24 seconds off of Randalls pace.
This is really special for me, said Randall, who learned to ski high in the Colorado Rockies. Its a really tough course with a lot of long, grinding uphills. I happen to like long, grinding uphills.
Randall let the race from wire to wire, leading at the first interval in 14:34.1. At around a kilometer-and-a-half, I heard I was in second place. Then, at about half way, I was told I was leading. From there I just tried to ski my race.
I knew he had a shot, said Dartmouth mens cross country coach Ruff Patterson. This course was built for Glenn. Were at altitude, and its one tough course. He really shines in these conditions.
Randall becomes the Big Greens first NCAA cross country champion since 1967, when the race was won by 1968 graduate Ned Gillette.
Randall's finish helped defending champion Dartmouth to a tie for third place 45 points behind Colorado. Led by Ostensen's third place finish, and the top two finishers in the women's event, CU jumped to an early lead.
Bates Sylvan Ellefson capped a strong comeback over the course of the season to finish fourth. DU was led by Rene Reisshaur in 5th place. Reisshauer was the defending National Champion in the 10km event. His teammate, John Stene, the 2006 National Champion in this event finished 7th.
Randall also has the distinction of being the first skier from an eastern college to win a men's National Championship in at least a decade. It has also been many years since an American born skier captured a title.
Men's 10km Freestyle Results
Team Standings
Coverage of Women's 5km Freestyle
Glenn Randall (DAR) - 1st place (Photo Credit: Jackson Harris)
Marius Korthauer (UAF) - 2nd place (Photo Credit: Jackson Harris)
Jesper Ostensen (CU) - 3rd place (Photo Credit: Jackson Harris)
Men's Podium (Photo Credit: Jackson Harris)
Originaly from Source