Led by Colman Hatton '10, Spencer Eusden '12 and Courtney Martin '09, the men's Nordic team placed ninth and the women placed 10th out of 13 teams at the Dartmouth Carnival in Hanover, N.H., last weekend.
The Dartmouth course was the most challenging one the team has raced on this season, and Bowdoin suffered from several crashes during the race.
"The course was narrow, with steep and fast downhills on very fast icy snow, which can be very intimidating for athletes," coach Nathan Alsobrook said.
Last Friday, the women raced in a 5K classic event where Martin was the top Bowdoin finisher in 46th, followed by Erin Hatton '12 in 48th and Olivia Orr '12 in 54th. These three women have been consistently leading the Bowdoin team.
"It is nice to see them settle into a pretty stable pattern, especially the first years, because there is always a big learning curve," Alsobrook said.
The men's team competed in a 10K classic race where Hatton led the team with a 42nd place finish directly followed by Walt Shepard '10 in 43rd and Niko Kubota '10 in 47th. "[Shepard] continues to take baby steps back from being sick throughout January," Alsobrook said.
On Saturday the women competed in a 10K freestyle event. In the event, Martin finished in 45th, Hatton in 50th, and Orr in 52nd. The men raced in a 15K freestyle event with a mass start. By finishing 30th, first year Eusden earned NCAA qualifying points in his race. Eusden had an exciting sprint finish with a few other competitors where he managed to maintain his standing.
"He was quick, strong off the start line, and aggressive, for a young guy, in fighting for his position in the mass start," Alsobrook said.
Hatton finished after Eusden in 34th followed by Shepard in 36th. For the first time this year the top three men all finished in the 30s. The Dartmouth carnival always falls over Valentines Day weekend. As a tradition, skiers give valentines to people on other teams.
"Nobody takes themselves too seriously. Some creative valentines were given and received by our team," Alsobrook said.
The men's and women's Nordic teams will compete at the Middlebury carnival this weekend.