Utah wins school's first title since 2003

JACKSON, N.H. - The Utah ski team won its 11th NCAA title on Saturday afternoon, its first title since 2003. In addition, Martin Bergström won his second NCAA title of the meet with a win in the men's freestyle race. 
 
The Utes came into the day in second, trailing leader Denver by 34.5 points with Colorado a close third, needing two solid Nordic races to attempt to move into the lead. The Utes had a race-high 84 points in the men's freestyle race and scored 73 points in the women's race, which was second among all teams. Utah had 541.5 points, winning over Denver (525) and Colorado (524).
 

Starting with the men's race, it was Bergström's second win of the season and second win of the championships. He also won the 10-km classic on Thursday. Utah had three skiers in the top 10 with Martin Mikkelsen finishing eighth and Kevin Bolger finishing 10th, with all three skiers earning All-America honors (the second of the meet for Bergström and Mikkelsen). Denver had three skiers in the top 11, and the Utes were able to pick up five points in the race.
 

In the women's race, Utah was the only team with all three racers in the top 14, as Merete Myrseth finished fifth, Guro Jordheim placed sixth and Natalia Müller finished 14th. Myrseth and Jordheim both earned their second All-America honors of the race. Colorado finished 1-3-28 in the race for 77 points to score just four more than the Utes and Denver only put together 26 points after finishing 11-27-29 on the day, giving the Utes the victory.
 
The Utes have 11 NCAA titles and 12 championships overall, including an AIAW title in 1978. Utah's 11 NCAA titles ranks third all-time in skiing.

It was the 494th NCAA championship for the Pac-12.