Schamberger, Baangman Podiums Keep Buffs In Lead At Own Invitational

Friday, February 13

Steamboat Springs, Colo.

10 AM Men / 11:30 AM Women

Colorado

20K Freestyle (M) at Howelsen Hill

Photo by: Ashton Scott

Schamberger, Baangman Podiums Keep Buffs In Lead At Own Invitational

February 13, 2026 | Skiing

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Schamberger Gets A Career-Best Second Place In The 20K Freestyle Race

By: Curtis Snyder, Associate AD/Athletic Communications

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. – Podium finishes from Nina Schamberger and Tilde Baangman enabled the Colorado Buffaloes ski team to maintain its overall lead Friday at Howelsen Hill in the 20K freestyle races at the Colorado Spencer James Nelson Memorial Invitational.

Colorado and Denver each scored 146 points on the day, leaving just nine points separating the two teams entering Saturday's finale. Through six events, CU leads with 502 points, followed by Denver with 493 and Utah with 454.

The Buffs endured a difficult start in the men's race, placing sixth with 52 points and briefly falling behind Denver in the overall standings after the first race.

Colorado responded in the women's race behind Schamberger's runner-up finish and Baangman's third-place effort. CU scored 94 points in the race and outscored Denver 94-73 to reclaim a nine-point cushion heading into the final day.

Utah won the women's race with 100 points and finished the day with 154 total points, while both CU and DU scored 146.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The men's 20K freestyle was contested on Howelsen Hill's 2.5K loop due to limited snow, requiring eight laps on the more difficult portion of the course.

Johannes Flaaten led the Buffs in 13th place in 58:28.4. Luka Riley finished 16th in 59:03.5, William Bentley was 17th in 59:08.0 and Storm Pedersen finished 18th in 1:01:12.1. Pedersen managed back issues during the race.

Colorado scored 52 points in the event and placed sixth.

In the women's race, Erica Laven of Utah pulled away early. Baangman went with the early move but was caught mid-race by the chase pack.
Schamberger separated from that group and held second place over the final laps. Baangman regrouped and pulled away late to finish third. Astri Lunde finished eighth in a four-skier sprint to the line after contact in the closing meters. Selma Nevin finished 13th and Elena Grissom placed 18th.

Colorado scored 94 points in the race.

UP NEXT

The meet concludes Saturday with the 7.5K classic interval start races. The women begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by the men at 10:30 a.m. at Howelsen Hill.

TEAM NOTES

CU scored 52 points in the men's race (19 Flaaten, 17 Riley, 16 Bentley) and placed sixth.
CU scored 94 points in the women's race (37 Schamberger, 34 Baangman, 23 Lunde) and placed second.
On the day, Utah had 154 points, while both CU and DU scored 146.
Through six events: Colorado 502, Denver 493, Utah 454.
Through three women's events, CU trails Denver 271-253.
CU leads the men's standings with 249 points; Denver and Utah are tied at 222.

MEN'S NORDIC NOTES

Flaaten finished 13th, his 29th career top 20 in 30 finished races. He has finished top 13 in all five races this season and top 15 in 10 straight dating back to last season.
Riley finished 16th, his 22nd career top 20 and 11th straight dating back to last season.
Bentley finished 17th, his fourth straight top 20 to begin his career.
Pedersen finished 18th and has finished top 20 in all eight races this season, breaking a streak of five straight top-five finishes.

WOMEN'S NORDIC NOTES

Schamberger finished second, the best finish of her collegiate career and her third podium appearance this season.
Baangman finished third for her sixth podium in seven races this season. She now has 23 career podium appearances.
Lunde finished eighth, her fifth straight top-eight finish to open the season and 14th career top 10 in 15 finished races.
Nevin finished 13th, her 22nd career top 20 in 22 races.
Grissom finished 18th, her eighth straight top 20 this season and 26th career top 20.

Final Team Scores: 1. Colorado 502; 2. Denver 493; 3. Utah 454; 4. Montana State 338.5; 5. Alaska Anchorage 305; 6. Nevada 207.5; 7. Westminster 136; 8. Colorado Mountain 120; 9. Alaska Fairbanks 97.

Men's 20K Freestyle: 1. Zachary Jayne, Utah, 57:03.8; 2. Simon Chappaz, Montana State, 57:04.7; 3. Yannick Zellweger, Denver, 57:11.8; 4. Philipp Moosmayer, Alaska Fairbanks, 57:27.6; 5. Corbin Carpenter, Alaska Anchorage, 57:41.7; 6. Gavin Galyardt, Montana State, 57:42.1; 7. Matyas Pavek, Alaska Fairbanks, 57:55.1; 8. Blake Hanley, Alaska Fairbanks, 57:58.4; 9. Erling Bjoernstad, Alaska Anchorage, 58:07.2; 10. Krystof Zatloukal, Denver, 58:07.8. CU Finishers: 13. Johannes Flaaten, 58:28.4; 16. Luka Riley, 59:03.5; 17. William Bentley, 59:08.0; 18. Storm Pedersen, 1:01:12.1.

Women's 20K Freestyle: 1. Erica Laven, Utah, 1:06:51.9; 2. Nina Schamberger, Colorado, 1:08:36.3; 3. Tilde Baangman, Colorado, 1:09:36.7; 4. Witta Walcher, Utah, 1:09:49.6; 5. Sofia Pedersen, Utah, 1:11:28.7; 6. Synne Bollingmo, Denver, 1:11:28.9; 7. Ruby Serrouya, Denver, 1:11:29.3; 8. Astri Lunde, Colorado, 1:11:29.7; 9. Ally Wheeler, Utah, 1:11:47.5; 10. Selma Andersen, Utah, 1:12:26.6. Other CU Finishers: 13. Selma Nevin, 1:13:17.5; 18. Elena Grissom, 1:17:09.2. Did Not Finish: Sophie Spalding.