Colorado University Athletics
Skiers Tune Up For RMISA Championships
February 21, 2008 | Skiing
BOZEMAN, Mont. - The University of Colorado ski team enters the most critical phase of the season here this weekend, as the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association Championships provide the last chance for either qualifying or improving seeding for next month's NCAA Championships.
This meet also doubles as the NCAA West Regional/Montana State Invitational. The giant slalom and Nordic freestyle races are set for Friday, with the slalom and cross country classical events Saturday.
Thursday, the alpine skiers competed in a "Western Qualifier," or a makeup giant slalom, as the weather conditions were so poor at Western State's meet earlier this month the coaches wanted to provide another opportunity for racers to have a chance to perform under better circumstances.
In the women's giant slalom, seniors Lucie Zikova and Rachel Roosevelt finished third and fourth, respectively. Zikova's two runs were clocked in 1:37.40, with Roosevelt shushing down the hill twice in 1:37.45. Nevada's Katie Lyons won in 1:36.74.
Junior Lisa Perricone was 15th in 1:38.93, and sophomore Heidi Hillenbrand 26th in 1:40.24.
In the men's GS, DU's Seppi Stiegler won in 1:39.31, topping New Mexico's Tor Fodnesbergene by a tenth of a second. Colorado's top finisher was junior Tony Cesolini, who finished 19th in 1:41.63. Sophomore Patrick Duran had finished 22nd, but was disqualified after the race, with sophomore Stefan Hughes finishing 23rd in 1:42.65 and sophomore Arman Serebrakian 26th in 1:42.44.
Hughes and fellow soph Drew Roberts are the two men's skiers who are likely qualified for nationals; Roberts so much so that he started in the 44th position as the coaches hoped for other CU skiers to improve their seeding. However, CU is not guaranteed a third male alpine performer, as Cesolini, Serebrakian, Duran and junior Josh Bryan are all on the bubble.
Otherwise, CU has qualified a full team for the NCAA's (three men's and women's Nordic skiers and three women's alpine competitors).
Men's Giant Slalom?1. Seppi Stiegler, DU, 1:39:31; 2. Tor Fodnesbergene, UNM, 1:39.41; 3. John Buchar, DU, 1:39.81; 4. Gregory Berger, UN, 1:39.84; 5. Marc Perathoner, WSC, 1:40.28. CU Finishers: 19. Tony Cesolini 1:41.63; 23. Stefan Hughes, 1:42.25; 26. Arman Serebrakian, 1:42.44; 31. Miles Cooke, 1:44.23; 32. Drew Roberts, 1:44.36; 33. Josh Bryan, 1:44.76. Disqualified (2nd run): Patrick Duran.
