JACKSON, N.H. -- Junior Hallie Grossman took fifth place overall in the women's 5K classic technique race, and senior Jordan Buetow placed 10th in the men's 10K classic, leading the Bates Nordic ski teams to a strong first day of action at the UNH Carnival.

Bates' men's and women's teams both scored the fifth-most points among 13 Nordic squads on the day. Bates' alpine and Nordic ski teams combined for 243 carnival points, good for sixth place among 16 teams. 

Grossman (South Woodstock, Vt.) recorded her first career top-five carnival finish, crossing the finish line in 14:54.5, 0.2 seconds ahead of Bowdoin's Kaitlynn Miller. The only collegians to outrace Grossman on the day comprised two skiers from the University of Vermont and two from Dartmouth.

First-year Tara Humphries (North Yarmouth, Maine) placed second for the Bobcats, 21st among 91 collegians, in 15:23.5. Sophomore Gracie Wright (Rutland, Vt.) rounded out the team scoring in 28th place (15:44.6), with sophomore Jane McLarney (Lowell, Mass.) and first-year Sadie James (Avon, Maine) close behind in 30th and 31st, respectively.

Buetow (Fairbanks, Alaska) finished his 10K race in 25:59.3, 10th-fastest among 89 collegians. Senior Sean Woods (Gypsum, Colo.) continued his strong early season with a 22nd-place finish (26:47.8), and senior Alex Hamilton (Truckee, Calif.) closed out the team's scoring in 36th place (27.16.1).

The UNH Carnival concludes Saturday with women's 10K and men's 15K freestyle mass start races.