Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
Denver Invitational (GS)
Buff Skiers In Fourth At Denver Invitational
February 11, 2011 | Skiing
WINTER PARK ? The University of Colorado ski team posted five top 10 finishes in the giant slalom, including one podium spot, but the Buffaloes find themselves in fourth place after the first day of the Denver Invitational.
Host Denver holds a slim lead in the meet, as the Pioneers put 230 points into the books Friday, just ahead of Utah (227). New Mexico is in third with 212, followed by the No. 2-ranked Buffaloes, which ended the day with 196. The latest national rankings came out early in the week by Ski Racing Magazine, with Vermont owning the top spot.
In the men's giant slalom, either a first occurred Friday, or at least something that hasn't happened in recent memory. The top 10 finishers in the race were the same 10 skiers who placed in the top 10 in the GS the previous day in the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association Alpine Qualifier. DU's Seppi Stiegler, who won Thursday's race, captured Friday's even in a two-run time of 1:50.71.
Freshman Andreas Haug had the Buffs' best effort of the day, as he captured third in 1:52.25. That finish enabled him to take over the RMISA point total lead in the race for MVP honors with three races remaining. He was sixth in Thursday's race and now has six top six finishes this winter.
“I'm getting more and more used to the snow here, getting used to skiing on the softer snow,” the native Norwegian said. “I'm used to more icy conditions. I am just trying to ski consistently. That's the big thing for me right now, just to be as consistent as I can be.”
Junior Eric Davis finished eighth Friday in 1:52.68; he had placed ninth a day earlier, while senior Gabriel Rivas was 10th in 1:52.89 after taking third Thursday. After nearly crashing on his first run, he used the fastest run the second time down the mountain (54.89) to move from 19th into 10th; he actually was 27th in the morning standings when including the non-collegians in the race.
Sophomore Max Lamb (22nd, 1:54.57), junior Taggart Spenst (23rd, 1:55.76) and freshman Fletcher McDonald (27th, 1:59.18) rounded out the Buffalo men in the GS.
In the women's GS, sophomore Erika Ghent paced CU for the second straight day, this time claiming eighth in 2:04.93; she was third a day before. Junior Sara Hjertman was right behind her in ninth in 2:05.19, but CU's next finisher, junior Carolina Nordh, was down in the 21st spot (2:06.56).
Rounding out the CU women were junior Jennifer Allen (23rd, 2:09.79), sophomore Khyla Burrows (25th, 2:10.64) and freshman Kirsten Cooper (32nd, 3:34.84; she fell on her second run and had to hike back to a missed gate). Senior Ashley Babcock did not complete her second run and took a DNF.
“We had a lot of mistakes on the slopes today, it wasn't a Buffalo day up there,” CU head coach Richard Rokos said. “I would say in most cases today is a reflection of the last few weeks, all the travel. We will get after it tomorrow and then look forward to a little break and recharge our batteries. The snow is a little soft for our taste.”
“Gabriel's first run was unfortunate, he made a mistake that nearly caused him a huge crash, but he held it together, finished better than I would have thought, and then had the top time in the second run to get back into a decent scoring position for us in the top 10. The pleasant surprise is Eric, he's getting consistent in finishing his runs and getting faster and faster.
“On the ladies side, Carolina was a little slower today and Sara gave up a little on her second run. We had some mistakes but again, I think it's a reflection of the last few weeks. We'll be fine, we have a very strong women's Alpine team even with Katie Hartman lost for the year.”
The invitational continues Saturday with the slalom, also at Winter Park, and the first Nordic events, which are being held in Aspen. The classical races are set for that day, with the meet to conclude Sunday with the freestyle events, the 21K Owl Creek Chase where the skiers of all ages race from Snowmass Village to Aspen.
Denver Invitational Team Scores (2 events)?1. Denver 230; 2. Utah 227; 3. New Mexico 212; 4. Colorado 196;
5. Alaska-Anchorage 150; 6. Westminster 145; 7. Montana State 142.
Men's Giant Slalom (31 finishers)?1. Seppi Stiegler, DU, 1:50.71; 2. Armin Triendl, UNM, 1:52.23; 3. Andreas Haug, CU, 1:52.25; 4. Jeremy Elliott, Utah, 1:52.31; 5. Petter Brenna, UNM, 1:52.51; 6. Kitt Flowers, DU, 1:52.60; 7. Nick Cohee, Utah, 1:52.63; 8. Eric Davis, CU, 1:52.68; 9. Geoffrey Irwin, MSU, 1:52.78; 10. Gabriel Rivas, CU, 1:52.89. Other CU Finishers: 22. Max Lamb, 1:54.57; 23. Taggart Spenst, 1:55.76; 27. Fletcher McDonald, 1:59.18.
Women's Giant Slalom (32 finishers)?1. Tii-Maria Romar, Utah, 2:03.01; 2. Ida Dillingoeen, DU, 2:03.38; 3. Eva Huckova, Utah, 2:03.76; 4. Anne Brusletto, UNM, 2:04.25; 5. Alexandra Parker, UAA, 2:04.39; 6. Jennie VanWagner, DU, 2:04.51; 7. Lindsay Cone, DU, 2:04.60; 8. Erika Ghent, CU, 2:04.93; 9. Sara Hjertman, CU, 2:05.19; 10. Kate Williams, UNM, 2:05.38. Other CU Finishers: 21. Carolina Nordh, 2:06.56; 23. Jennifer Allen, 2:09.79; 25. Khyla Burrows, 2:10.64; 32. Kirsten Cooper, 3:34.84. Did Not Finish (2nd run): Ashley Babcock.
