This NCAA photo features DU sophomore Linn Eriksen in the women’s 15k classical today. She added an exclamation point to DU’s team championship by putting on a clinic in Steamboat with her first place finish. No other word but ‘courageous’ explains the wire-to-wire pressure she exerted on her competitors.

Congratulations DU ski team!

Steamboat Springs, Colorado – Going into the morning with a miniscule lead at nationals with two freshman, three sophomores, one junior and no seniors, the Denver Pioneers  men’s and women’s XC classical squads could have collapsed under the pressure of high expectations. Instead, DU skiers summoned all their skill and determination to win their record 23rd NCAA National Ski Team Championship, DU’s 31st NCAA team title.

The men built a commanding 45 point margin after the first race of the day. Then, DU sophomore Linn Eriksen in the women’s 15k punished 2nd place University of Utah and the rest of the field from start to finish. She entered the finishing stadium loop all alone, 17 seconds in front, to all but seal the team victory for DU. In total, the women’s nordic team extended DU’s final winning margin to 76 points. Denver finished first overall in the team standings with 567.5 points, ahead of the University of Colorado (491.5) and the University of Utah (485).

DU’s 23rd championship extends the Pioneers lead as the NCAA’s most successful ski program. As the host of this year’s NCAA Skiing championships , CU remains stuck in second with 20 national ski team championships.

DU was tied with the University of Florida with the 10th most overall NCAA titles but now stands alone in 10th with 31 titles. DU has more championships titles than many other local and national athletic powerhouses programs such as CU, Notre Dame, the Ohio State University, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and the University of Oregon.

Steamboat, Colorado – The DU ski team clung to a narrow 15.5 point lead after a dramatic evening of nighttime racing on Steamboat’s Howelson Hill.

The fireworks started early and never ended during the tense evening event as Montana State, Utah, Denver, and Colorado jockeyed for position and skiers battled nerves. Continue reading DU Holds Razor Thin Lead After Friday Night Lights – Title Up For Grabs Saturday Morning →

Photo: Steamboattoday.com

The DU ski team dropped a slot to Utah while Colorado closed the gap and Montana State maintained their first place in the overall standings. One of DU’s strengths, slalom, will be on display Friday night when they can assume the overall lead with strong performances by the men and women at Howelson Hill, Steamboat Springs.

Video recap of the day HERE

As a reminder, DU is offering a watch party for the Friday Night slalom events: Ghost Ranch, 56 7th Street, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487. $25 per person includes Marnos Custom Catering, beverages and video streaming coverage of the NCAA Championships. Cash bar available. The party starts at 4:00 with the women’s slalom at 6:15 and the men’s slalom at 7:30.

FREE parking available within walking distance to NCAA night slalom spectator area at Howelsen Hill. REGISTER HERE

Team standings after day #2 of 4

—————GS            Freestyle    Slalom    Classical
—————MAR9      MAR10     MAR11    MAR12
Rk. Team                  M  W       M  W          M  W       M  W      TOTAL
1 Montana State     79 69      45 89           – –           – –          282
2 Utah                       57 66       60 81           – –           – –          264
3 Denver                   71 67       71 54           – –            – –         263
4 Colorado               29.5 59    67 59          – –            – –         214.5
5 Vermont                34 42       49 29          – –            – –         54

Bring on #31 Pioneers!