Ripton, Vt. - 1.5 seconds was all that separated Jack Young's second place finish with the top step of the podium Saturday at Middlebury's Rikert Nordic Center.  Fresh off the news of being named to represent the United States at the World Championships at the end of February, the senior managed his heats marvelously all the way to the finals.  Joined in the top-30 by eight other Mules, the men's team placed 3rd on the day with the women's team in 6th.  

Taiga Moore and Andrew Defor slid into 15th and 20th place with Clint Macy and Benjamin Lewis right behind in 22nd and 23rd respectively. Matous Matousek made it six men in the top-30 with his best performance of the season, a 28th place finish in a field of over 90 competitors.  Maddie Hooker continued her stellar season with her third top-20 performance, and top classic result, cruising into 18th.  Lydia Kraker and Natalie O'Brien placed 22nd and 25th respectively.  

"It was great to see so many of our skiers advance past the qualifiers to make the heats today," said Head Nordic Ski Coach Tracey Cote. "We had six men in the top-30, and Jack had a great day winning the qualifier.  Today was Classic, and he's an even better sprinter!" 

Colby is back in action Saturday to close out the Middlebury Carnival with the 10k Classic.