Four years ago, days after the Turin Olympics ceased to be the center of the skiing universe, when the best stateside snow competition moved to Steamboat Springs, the University of Colorado ski team rallied from under Denver’s nearly insurmountable lead to win the NCAA championship.
On Thursday, days after Vancouver’s Olympics faded and Ski Central again made its way to Steamboat, the Buffaloes strode toward another big comeback in the biggest collegiate meet of the season.
Colorado’s Matt Gelso, who was in third place when he passed the halfway mark of Thursday’s nordic 10-kilometer classic race, sprinted down the stretch to a national title in 29 minutes, 25.5 seconds. Gelso, just the second American-born men’s skier to win an NCAA classic title, edged Vermont’s Franz Bernstein by 24 seconds.
Denver’s Antje Maempel was hardly threatened in the women’s 5K classic, as she cruised to a third consecutive national nordic title. Her time of 16:03.4 was 46.7 seconds better than Dartmouth’s Rosie Brennan.
“Antje won . . . in astounding fashion,” DU nordic coach David Stewart said. “In a 5-kilometer race, that is an almost ridiculous margin of victory.”
At the meet’s halfway mark, Denver leads the team race with 420 points. Colorado trails at 351, jumping four spots after Wednesday’s first day. New Mexico (319), Utah (300.5) and Vermont (287.5) round out the top five.
Despite CU’s comeback in the team standings, it was little surprise the Pioneers and Buffs are 1-2.
Two-time defending champion Denver owns 20 national championships in the 56 years of the meet. Colorado has won 16 — and has twice finished runner-up the last two years.
It’s an ongoing rivalry that never seems to let up.
“I think we’re in the hunt,” CU coach Richard Rokos said. “Coming from sixth to second is a huge confidence booster. It really puts everything on the line for the slalom. It’s a make-it or break-it day. It’ll be a rodeo tomorrow.”
NCAA skiing at Steamboat
The NCAA ski championships returned to Steamboat Springs this week. Colorado and the University of Denver are in the hunt for another title. The schedule, all at Howelsen Hill:Today: alpine slalom
Men, 5:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
Women, 6:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
Saturday: nordic
Men’s 20K freestyle, 10 a.m.
Women’s 15K freestyle, noon
STAY ON THE COUCH
It’s almost bracket time.
Used to be the NCAA basketball tournament selection show on CBS was must- watch TV for bracket-breakers across the land who penciled in the teams for their Monday office pools. Well, in the old days, there was no selection show, just straight to the first round.
But nowadays, the brackets pop up everywhere online seconds after the NCAA announces the teams. So the selection show takes on new character. CBS’s bracket show — airing on KCNC-4 at 4 p.m. Sunday immediately after the Big Ten championship game (snore) — should give some early clues for upset picks.
Which teams have to travel? Which matchups are historically one-sided? Which teams are streaking? Which are skidding?
And if all else fails, which teams have the coolest mascots?
GET OFF THE COUCH
Irish-themed races.
For the themed races, this year’s St. Patrick’s Day falls on an unfriendly Wednesday. Who wants to run green through the streets midweek? That’s why this weekend, three Paddy-themed races run up and down the Front Range. Better early than never.
In Denver, find the Runnin’ of the Green! Lucky 7K and Classic Irish Jog. Starting at 10 a.m. Sunday, the 22nd edition of the race runs through LoDo and benefits Volunteers of America ().
In Colorado Springs, try the 5K for St. Patrick’s Day at Acacia Park on Saturday at 10 a.m. The flat, fast, down-and-back course should be fun and easy — and it includes a kids’ Shamrock Scurry ().
And in Fort Collins, the Sharin’ O’ the Green 5K Run/Walk goes through Library Park at 7 a.m. Saturday. The race will be followed by the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade ().
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
It’s Pacquiao vs. Clottey.
Manny Pacquiao, the pound-for-pound best boxer in the world, will put his WBO welterweight title on the line Saturday against Joshua Clottey. The bout will play out at the $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, where a capacity crowd of 42,000 is expected. Of course, if Cowboys owner Jerry Jones could sell 100,000 seats, he’d do it. And fight fans in the top row would not miss any sweet science details. The 72-foot-high, 160-foot-wide TV screen hanging over the ring would take care of that.
The fight, airing on HBO pay-per- view, should be an entertaining affair.
AROUND TOWN
Time for Mammoth turnaround.
At the National Lacrosse League season’s halfway point, the Colorado Mammoth has yet to live up to expectations. An offseason roster turnover was meant to bring a fresh face to a team that has been among the NLL elite in recent years.
But at 2-6, with a four-game losing skid on its schedule, Colorado needs a turnaround now. And quick.
The Mammoth on Saturday hosts the Edmonton Rush (5-3), a team just a half-game back of first place in the Western Division. The Rush this season have excelled with the help of Gavin Prout, who was sent North in the offseason in a trade with Colorado.
The Rush earlier this season topped the Mammoth 14-13 in Denver, one of five one-goal games among Colorado’s results. The Mammoth is 2-3 in those games.
Jamie Shewchuk’s 32 points pace Colorado this season. The 7 p.m. game, at Pepsi Center, airs on Altitude2.
Brian Langtry picks up Jamie Shewchuk in celebration of Shewchuk’s goal. Michael Martin Photography
