SOLDIER HOLLOW, Utah â€Â“ The first day of competitionat the 2005 Chevrolet U.S. Cross Country Championships is in the books.  Mondaywas the womenâ€Â™s 15K freestyle and the menâ€Â™s 30K freestyle events.  Current andpast NMU skiers were involved in both races.

Lindsay Williams was eight in the womenâ€Â™s event with a timeof 46:43.3.  Former â€Â˜Cats who were participating in the event were Aubrey Smithand Caitlin Compton as they were 14^th (47:39.6) and 22^nd(48:23.5) respectively.  Five more NMU skiers then crossed the finish line.  Leadingthe way was Tami Kochen in 28^th place (48:54.6), Morgan Smyth was 35^th(49:24.1), Jennifer Wygant was 43^rd (50:25.7), Viktoria Koskenojawas 45^th (50:34.2) and Maria Stuber was 47^th (50:47.3).

On the menâ€Â™s side, Bryan Cook was the first â€Â˜Cat to skiacross the finish line as he was 20^th with a time of 1:25:14.9. Bret Bedard was 22^nd overall with a clocking of 1:25:46.2, but wasthe top finishing junior in the event.  Other skiers for the â€Â˜Cats includedBill Bowler was 52^nd overall (1:31:26.6), Justin Singleton was 57^th(1:32:13.4), Robert Baldwin was 81^st (1:37:24.3) and Ryan Kerriganwas 91^st (1:40:50.9).

The skiers will compete next on Wednesday, Jan. 5.  Thewomen will compete in the 5K classic while the men will ski the 10K classic.