Trio Competes in 10K Classic at NCAA Ski Championships

by: 

Nancie Battgalia

Senior Ben Knowles was the top finisher for St. Lawrence in the Men's 10K Classic.

Mar. 11: The senior trio of Ben Knowles, Eric Wolcott and Zach Wetherell represented the St. Lawrence Nordic ski team in the men's 10K Classic at the 2010 NCAA Championships on Thursday in Steamboat Springs, CO. Knowles was the team's top finisher at the event, which was held at Howelsen Hill.

On what proved to be a tough day of waxing, Knowles finished in 33rd place overall with a time of 31:55.1. Wolcott and Wetherell followed in 38th and 39th, respectively, behind times of 32:32.8 and 32:58.4. It was the first NCAA Championship race for all three student-athletes.

"It was a difficult and disappointing day for us," said St. Lawrence head coach Ethan Townsend. "It was a challenging day as far as waxing went and we weren't the only ones who didn't hit it. The guys know that they're better races than the results show and they'll look to prove it on Saturday."

The University of Colorado's Matt Gelso won the individual national championship in the 10K Classic with a time of 29:25.5.

Knowles, Wolcott and Wetherell will conclude the 2010 ski season in the 20K Freestyle race on Saturday, March 13.