McLoon Competes at Skiing NCAAs

Anna McLoon, Harvard skiing's only qualifier for this weekend's NCAA Championships, gained a great deal of experience at Middlebury College this weekend.

McLoon, a freshaman, represented the Crimson well in both of her events.

"It was a lot of fun, and I did respectable," McLoon said.

In the 5k classic held on Wednesday, McLoon finished 29th out of 39 competitiors. In the 15k freestyle, which was held on Friday, she finished in 31st place.

"She was with some pretty tough competition, and she definitely held her own." said senior skiier Sara Hahsmi.

The last time Harvard qualified a skiier for the NCAA Championships was in 1995, when Matt Bellizzi made it to the post-season hill. The last woman to qualify from Harvard was Molly Ware in 1992.

McLoon enjoyed her time at the Championships, and though she was the lone Harvard skiier to qualify, she was not the only skiier that made the trek up to Middlebury.

"Most of the team came up on Friday," McLoon said. "It was very fun. They hung signs in the woods."

McLoon felt that she took away more than just positive feelings of team camraderie from the Championships.

"My goal had been to qualify, to learn, to watch the other skiiers. I know what I'm up against if I qualify again, which I intend to do."