Bozeman, Montana – Marius Korthauer, skiing for the University of Alaska Fairbanks, won the 20km mass start classic race at the NCAA National Champinoships in Bozeman, Montana. Korthauer skied away from the pack to win by 12 seconds over Kit Richmond (CU). Juergen Uhl (UVM) finished third, one second behind Richmond. Wednesday’s 10km freestyle winner, Glenn Randall (DAR), was 11th.
“It couldn’t happen to a more deserving person,†Alaska coach Scott Jerome said. “The nice guys don’t always win, but in this case the nice guy did win.â€
Korthauer, of Bonndorf, Germany, was overlooked four years ago by many schools in the West who said he wasn’t fast enough to justify getting a scholarship. He woke up with a sore throat early Friday morning after just five hours of sleep.and admitted feeling pressure before the four-lap race began.
“Everybody is telling you that you should win on your birthday in your last college race,†Korthauer said by telephone from his hotel room Friday afternoon.
At about 11 kilometers, Korthauer, seeded second, made his move on an uphill when he sensed he could gap Richmond.
“Kit was maybe not able or didn’t want to help working at the front,†Korthauer said. “I decided it was time to take off. … Gradually up the hill I kind of double-poled away.â€
Korthauer built his lead to 30 seconds and held on for the win.
Maria Grevsgaard (CU) won the women’s 15km race by 47 seconds over Polina Ermoshina (UNM). This was Grevsgaard’s second victory of the Championships. Antje Maempel (DU) took third, 7 seconds behind Ermoshina.
“This was actually one of my hardest races,†Grevsgaard said. “Even though it looked like it wasn’t, I was sure that they were going to catch me on the second lap, but then I got some more energy and made the gap bigger. I was really nervous this morning. I woke up very early and I was actually crying when I warmed up because I was so nervous.â€
“We did a really good job today, we all did, especially the guys,†she added. “We made up some points, so it will be exciting tomorrow. Right now I just want to relax and take some weeks off.â€
Defending Champion Dartmouth had a strong day with Elsa Sargent, Susan Dunklee and Rosie Brennan in 4th, 6th and 7th respectively. The trio had the distinction of being the top three Americans in the race.
Matias Saari contributed to this story.
 winninge her second National Title (Photo Credit: Jackson Harris)</font></center></p>
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