Sadie James wrapped up her NCAA Championship debut with the women's 15K classic mass start race on March 12, 2016 in Steamboat Springs, Colo. (File photo by Dennis Curran/EISA) 

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. -- Bates College junior Sadie James wrapped up her NCAA National Collegiate Ski Championships debut on Saturday, placing 30th out of 40 competitors in the women's 15-kilometer classic mass start race at Howelsen Hill.

James (Avon, Maine), competing at high altitude for the first time in her life, finished the race in 59:30.9. University of Denver's Linn Eriksen came in first with a time of 54:37.6. 

James finished a little more than a minute behind 29th place Lizzie Gill of the University of New Hampshire and about 33 seconds ahead of 31st place Johanna Talihaerm of Montana State.

In perhaps a testament to the effects of altitude, only one competitor from the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association circuit placed among the top 10 in the race: Colby College's Olivia Amber placed ninth.