Cross Country: Randall, Southam take U.S. titles

ANCHORAGE, (Dec. 6) – Kikkan Randall (Anchorage) was on it for the home crowd as she continued her sweep of events, pulling in her third title of the 2010 ConocoPhillips U.S. Cross Country Championships, and 13th title overall during the women’s 20K classic in Anchorage Wednesday. James Southam (Anchorage) won the men’s 30K to mark his fifth career title.

“It’s just amazing what being at home will do for you. I had a good stint on the World Cup before Christmas and then to come home and race in Anchorage has been great,” Randall said. “It’s been easy to be at home, the spectators have been awesome and it’s wonderful.”

Randall was followed in second by Holly Brooks (Anchorage) and Caitlin Compton (Minneapolis) in third.

According to Randall, making an early break in the race allowed her to continue her winning streak.

“It was snowing really hard when we started and when we hit the first hill I decided to take the lead. Liz and I exchanged leads a little bit, then midway through the second lap Holly Brooks and I started to make a gap,” Randall said. “I had a little gap on holly when I finished.”

All-in-all, Randall had a fun day of racing distance in Anchorage.

“It was a fun race. With the 20K we were out there for an hour and there was a lot of skiing,” Randall said.

In the men’s race, Southam predicted how the competition would play out.

“Going into the race I knew it would be between Kris [Freeman, Andover, NH] and I,” Southam said.

For the Alaska Pacific University skier, a win for the home crowd in Anchorage meant a lot to him.

“I’m super psyched. To win at home in front of all my friends and family was awesome,” Southam said.

According to Southam, being able to compete against and end up ahead of second-place finisher Freeman was an honor.

“To finally beat Kris after the last time I beat him in 2001, to beat the guy who has been the best in the country for a better half of the last decade is pretty cool,” Southam said.

The 2010 ConocoPhillips U.S. Cross Country Championships wrap up Friday with a men’s and women’s classic sprint. Randall is anticipating the chance to compete in the Olympic sprint discipline.

“I’m really looking forward to it. The classic sprint is going to be at the Olympics so this will be a good chance to see where I am,” Randall said.

For complete results click here.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 ConocoPhillips U.S. Cross Country Championships
Anchorage – Jan. 6, 2010

Men’s 30K Classic
1. James Southam, Anchorage, 1:32:08.3
2. Kris Freeman, Andover, NH, 1:33:18.2
3. Brian Cook, Marquette, MI 1:33:43.0
4. David Norris, Fairbanks, AK, 1:33:57.9
5. Brian Gregg, Winthrop, WA, 1:35:17.8
6. Justin Freeman, New Hampton, NH, 1:35:24.8
7. Tad Elliott, Durango, CO, 1:35:52.9
8. Dylan Watts, Anchorage, 1:36:01.5
9. Reese Hanneman, Fairbanks, AK, 1:36:21.7
10. Glenn Randall, Colbran, CO, 1:36:26.7

Women’s 20K Classic
1. Kikkan Randall, Anchorage, 1:14:19.0
2. Holly Brooks, Anchorage, 1:14:29.2
3. Caitlin Copmton, Minneapolis, 1:15:04.7
4. Rebecca Dussault, Gunnison, CO, 1:15:06.4
5. Liz Stephen, Montpelier, VT, 1:15:07.7
6. Laura Valaas, Wenatchee, WA, 1:15:49.2
7. Morgan Arritola, Ketchum, ID, 1:16:48.7
8. Ida Sargent, Orleans, VT, 1:17:22.9
9. Rosie Brennan, Hanover, NH 1:17:39.1
10. Lindsey Dehlin, Marquette, MI 1:17:58.6