Colorado University Athletics
Johansen, Trulsrud Impress In Buffs Debut
January 04, 2016 | Skiing
PARK CITY – As college debuts go, they could've been better. But not much better.
Freshman Ola Johansen and Tonje Trulsrud both earned top five finishes in their collegiate racing debuts, Johansen taking second in the men's slalom race and Trulsrud fourth in the women's.
Coming onto a team that's fresh off a national championship and with both the men's and women's team boasting strong returners, not to mention in a stacked field of the top collegiate skiers in the nation, it was those two newcomers who made their marks Monday as the 2016 season began.
Johnasen's second place finish was the highest slalom finish in three years, since now assistant coach Fletcher McDonald took second place at CU's own meet in 2013. It was also the highest slalom debut in a season in five years since Gabriel Rivas won the first slalom of the 2011 season, also at Park City.
It was both the highest season debut, regardless of discipline, and best finish by a CU skier in their first collegiate race in almost a decade, since Drew Roberts won the slalom race at the Montana State Invitational to open the 2007 season.
Trulsrud stood in 17th place after the first run of the women's slalom race but then scorched the field, matching the fastest second run in the field, which moved her up 13 spots into fourth place.
The skiers Trulsrud passed in that second run included the defending NCAA Champion in the event in Denver's Monica Huebner, the defending RMISA Champion in teammate Jessica Honkonen and another teammate, Thea Grosvold, who was the No. 2 seeded slalom skier last year behind Huebner, along with 10 others.
The men's and women's alpine team both welcomed two newcomers to the squad this year. In the men's race, freshman Max Luukko was also impressive, finishing 11th and scoring as the third CU finisher in the race.
Nora Christensen didn't have as good of luck in her college debut, not finishing her second run after hiking on her first run, but she is also expected to compile top results in her first season racing in college, as well.
Those four freshman won't have to wait long to continue their collegiate careers, as Truslrud and Christensen will be back in action Tuesday in the giant slalom races while Johansen and Luukko will have a day off before concluding the alpine portion of the Utah Invitational with their own GS races on Wednesday.
