Anchorage Daily News

Although Andy Liebner of Soldotna earned second-team All-American honors, today was a disappointing day for UAA at the NCAA ski championships in Bozeman, Mont.

Skiing into falling snow at Bohart Ranch, Liebner, a sophomore, finished ninth in the men's 10-kilometer skate race, garnering All-American status for the second straight season.

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

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

Flagstad said both Treinen and Wunderle are capable of top-10 finishes and predicted both would bounce back in 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 Friday 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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