The Lobos Nordic squad prepares for its first taste of season action as they kick off the second half of the Utah Invitational on Jan. 10.
The women's Nordic team has some seasoned national champions with the likes of Emilie Cedervärn, who won the title in classical, and Eva Sever Rus, the champion in freestyle in 2014.
As of now, the Lobos are ranked fifth in the Utah invitational. Karoline Søvik Mykelbust did finish with two top-ten finishes after taking fifth in the slalom and seventh in the giant slalom.
With the alpine events having wrapped up at the Utah invitational, the squad has already split for Bozeman, Montana to compete in the first half of the Montana State Invitational.
Head coach Fredrik Landstedt believes the women's Nordic squad, who has two former champions leading them, can compete at a top-level against other competition.
“The women's team should be very strong,” coach Landstedt said. “We're returning Emilie who was the champion last year and also Eva who was an NCAA champion in 2014.”
But who is the strongest performer for the Lobos Nordic squad?
“It's going to be a battle between Emilie and Eva,” Landstetd said. “Emilie's a better classic skier, but I think Eva can challenge her in skating.”
UNM also has a few new faces on the women's side, but coach Landstetd said he believes they can contribute to the team. He named Julia Devaux and Kati Rovias, both freshmen, to be challengers this weekend.
For the men's side, the challenge doesn't seem as lively as with the women's squad. They're returning a second team all-American in Aljaž Praznik, who received the title in 2014. He had nine top-twenty finishes in nine in 2015, helping him claim a spot at the NCAA championships.
But the men have some fresh faces too. Petteri Vaherkoski, Niklas Rombock, and Austin Huneck will all be racing for their first time at the collegiate level.
The alpine squad is in Montana for their second invitational, while the Lobos Nordic squad stays in Utah to finish off the Utah invitational for the Lobos. They both take action this weekend with the alpine squad starting events today and the Nordic squad starting on Jan. 10.
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Matthew Narvaiz is a sports reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @RealMattNarvaiz.
