Complete Results

CABLE, Wis. – St. Scholastica sophomore #Eleanor Magnuson# (So.-Champlin Park, Minn.) finished a personal and program-best in Central Collegiate Ski Association (CCSA) competition with an eighth place finish in Saturday's 5km classic qualifier at Telemark Resort.

Magnuson posted a time of 18:12.0 seconds. Northern Michigan's Laura DeWitt won in a time of 17:30.8 seconds with UW-Green Bay's Carolyn Freeman taking second spot in 17:38.5 seconds. Christina Gillis finished third another 1.9 seconds back in 17:40.4 seconds.

Magnuson started just ahead of the top seeded skiers and didn't think she did all that well right after the race because she “got passed so much.” Little did she know that the two skiers who passed her were eventual Supertour race winner and 2006 Olympian, Rebecca Dussault, and CCSA regular standout, Marie Helen Soderman of Northern Michigan who ended up fifth among collegiate skiers. Junior #Julia Curry# (Jr.-Woodbury, Minn.) also posted a strong finish in 13th in a time of 18:52.6 seconds, and senior #Megan Holmes# (Sr.-Gilbert, Minn./Mesabi East) rounded out the Saints scoring in 34th clocking in at 20:05.2.

The college race was held within the USSA Supertour which was won by Dussault. Magnuson finished 14th overall in the Supertour, a personal and program best Supertour result.
“Eleanor has been skiing injured and we weren't sure she would start today,” said Saints head coach Chad Salmela. “I told Eleanor to try to forget the results, relax her back, and ski relaxed not worrying about the results. The result was excellent.”

Magnuson matched Julia Curry (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury HS)'s 10km classic finish of eighth from last weekend in Minneapolis as the best CCSA finish by a Saints skier in history. “I feel Eleanor really excels at 5km and was hoping she'd race and give our little tactic a try. I had a hunch it would go well if she did that. Julia struggles a little more at 5km and is strong in longer distances, and it was a very good race for her too today at the short distance. Overall, I felt it would be good if they would both race because I felt we had a real opportunity at a great classic finish again, which we definitely had. “

The Saints take the trails again Sunday at Telemark for the women's 10km mass start freestyle.

CCSA College Qualifier
Telemark Resort
Women's 5km Classic
January 30, 2010

1. Laura DeWitt NMU 17:30.8
2. Carolyn Greeman UWGB17:38.5
3. Christina Gillis NMU 17:40.4
4. Henna Riikonen-Purtsi MTU 17:44.3
5. Marie Helen Soderman NMU 17:49.4
6. Elizabeth Quinley MTU 18:05.1
7. Monica Markvardsen NMU 18:10.2
8. Eleanor Magnuson (Champlin Park, Minn./Champlin Park HS) CSS 18:12.0
9. Jenna Klein MTU 18:28.4
10. Caitlin Cassidy NMU 18:45.7
13. Julia Curry (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury HS) CSS 18:52.6
34. Megan Holmes (Gilbert, Minn./Mesabi East HS) CSS 20:05.2
39. Lindsey Johnson (St. Louis Park, Minn./St. Louis Park HS) CSS 20:27.2
42. Lindsay Wallis (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury HS) CSS 21:00.9
46. Sarah Johnson (Duluth, Minn./Marshall School) CSS 21:33.7
58. Caroline Lund (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) CSS 22:31.0