The Pioneer ski teams competed in the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association Alpine Qualifier and the RMISA Championships/NCAA Western Regional in Bozeman, Mont. last Wednesday through Saturday, placing 5th as a team and qualifying 10 individuals for the NCAA Championships.
In the RMISA Alpine Qualifier on Wednesday, defending national champion Sterling Grant finished atop the standings in the slalom. Fellow sophomore Charlie Reynolds led the men on Wednesday, placing 13th.
On Thursday, freshman Espen Lysdahl was the runner-up in the giant slalom on the men’s side. Freshman Devin Delaney had the top women’s finish for the Pioneers in slalom, in 11th place.
Friday marked the beginning of the RMISA Championships/NCAA Western Regional. In the alpine competition, Lysdahl led the men’s team, placing 7th. Freshmen Mariaelena Rizzieri and Delaney finished .04 seconds apart, in 6th and 7th place, respectively.
Four members of the Nordic team recorded top-ten finishes on Friday in the freestyle 5/10K. Seniors Kate Dolan and Andrew Dougherty placed 5th and 6th, while sophomores Katie Gill and Trygve Markset both finished 9th.
On Saturday in slalom, Charlie Reynolds had his best finish of the season, 2nd behind Christopher Acosta of New Mexico.
Reynolds’ trip to the podium was crucial, as it saved Denver from only sending two alpine skiers to the championships. Freshman Max Marno cracked the top 10 in giant slalom, coming in 8th. Rizzieri and Grant led the women, placing 13th and 14th, respectively.
Bozeman-native Kate Dolan was able to make it to the podium in 3rd place in the 15K classic, even after a fall on the last lap. Sophomore Elena Breed had one of her best finishes this season in 13th. Markset had his best race of the season in the 20k, finishing 5th. Dougherty also had a solid finish in 10th place.
Although DU was unable to qualify a full team, after strong individual performances, they were able to qualify 10 skiers for the national championship races.
“It was unfortunate and a little disappointing that we were unable to qualify the maximum twelve skiers for nationals,” said LeRoy.
The scores for the ten Pioneers who will be at nationals will still be counted towards the cumulative team score, but individual champions are more likely than a team championship this year.
“Sterling Grant is going in as the favorite in the woman’s slalom,” said LeRoy. “She has already won on that same hill and is the No. 1 female from the western region going into the NCAAs. This is her opportunity to defend her national title. Lysdahl is another with potential; he has been showing all season that he could win either event and I wouldn’t be surprised if he won them both.”
Head Nordic coach Dave Stewart also has high hopes for the Nordic competitors, despite missing one of the team’s best athletes.
“One of our top Nordic women skiers, Mari Elden, was sick for most of the winter. Missing one of our top competitors definitely makes it difficult to qualify a full team,” said Stewart.
Despite Elden’s absence, Stewart sees much potential for success in his team.
“Dolan took 3rd this last weekend after leading for much of the race,” said Stewart. “We’ll be back on the same course, so she has a good chance of placing high or even winning. [Senior Andrew] Dougherty was an All-American last year and has been consistently placing in the top 10. It’s probable that he will continue to perform well at the championships.”
Qualifying for the Nordic team were Dolan, Makayla Cappel, Markset, Dougherty and Jørgen Brevik.
On the alpine side, Grant, Delaney, Lysdahl, Marno and Reynolds will represent the Pioneers.
The NCAA Championships will be held at the same location as regionals, Bohart Ranch and Bridger Bowl, Mont., from March 7-10.
