Anchorage Daily News

Though Andy Liebner of Soldotna earned second-team All-American honors, it was a disappointing day overall Wednesday for UAA at the NCAA Ski Championships in Bozeman, Mont. Skiing into falling snow, Liebner, a sophomore, finished ninth in the men's 10-kilometer skate race, garnering All-America status for the second straight season.

But junior Raphael Wunderle, hampered by a cough and cold, finished 27th, his worst showing at the NCAAs. Wunderle finished in the top 10 in all 10 of his races this season, including three top-3 showings.

"We don't want to make any excuses, but he was still recovering," said UAA coach Trond Flagstad. "He had to take five days off last week. His legs were pretty dead."

Also, freshman Max Treinen of Anchorage placed 35th. He flew into Bozeman Saturday from Italy, where he'd competed at the World Junior Cross County Championships.

Flagstad said both Treinen and Wunderle are capable of top-10 finishes, and predicted both would bounce back for Friday's classic race.

Senior Brittany Greer, the only woman to qualify for UAA, placed 32nd in the 5-K skate race.

Competition shifts to alpine races today at Bridger Bowl Resort, with the men's and women's giant slalom. UAA qualified a full team of six skiers for the first time since 1999.

UAA sits in 10th place. Final team standings are determined by men's and women's finishes in both the nordic and alpine races.

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