Ute Skiers In Third-Place At Regionals

Sunday, February 23

Winter Park, Colo.

TBA

University of Utah

DU/RMISA Regional Championships (Alpine/C.C.)

2/23/2003 12:00 AM | Skiing

Feb. 23, 2003

WINTER PARK, Colo. - The University of Utah ski team currently sits in third-place after completing day one of the RMISA Regional Championships in Winter Park, Colo. Utah's 267 point total wasn't enough to surpass rivals Denver (290.5) and Colorado (290) as they hold on to first and second place.

"I'm very happy with this result at this point," said Head Coach Kevin Sweeney. "The main reason is that the alpine team finished everyone in the slalom race, which we have had some difficulty doing in the past. We skied conservative, but everyone finished and that's impressive."

The women's alpine team placed its three scores in the top 10. Senior Petra Svet came away with a time of 1:29.5 to place sixth in the SL event. Lina Johansson was right behind Svet, skiing to a time of 1:29.83 to place seventh. Sophomore Rowena Bright, back from Europe after competing at the World Championships, finished the day skiing ninth.

"It was great to see our women's alpine team skiing exceptionally well," Sweeney said. "Petra lead the women scoring sixth. Lina skied well and it was also great to see Rowena scoring in the top 10 after coming back from the World Championships."

Junior Pierre Olsson headed the men's slalom event, finishing with an overall time of 1:29.15 to nab eighth. Senior Jernej Bukovec notched a placing of 10th, while Josh Whitham garnered 15th.

The women's cross country team was piloted by junior Katrin Smigun, who remains undefeated this season. Smigun finished the 5 km skate event with a time of 14:55.7, beating out the competition by 20 seconds. Barbro Hatlevik placed in the top 10 skiing eighth with an impressive overall time of 15:45.8. Sara Svendsen skied to a solid 12th-place finish. Teammates Anna Spraque and Ashley McQueen grabbed 21st and 22nd place, while sophomore Kjersti Veum finished 27th.

"The women's nordic team skied strong," remarked Sweeney. "Katrin remains unbeaten this season, which is an absolutely amazing accomplishment. I was impressed with the cross country teams effort today."

On the men's side, it was senior Ryan Quinn leading the team with his sixth-place finish, followed by fellow senior Zack Simons who placing 10th. Freshman Jess Kiesel rounded out the Utes' third score in the 10 km freestyle by skiing 14th.

The men's nordic team was a little short handed as freshman Tony Bozzio and Anders Hansson were unable to compete due to illness.

"Ryan Quinn showed exceptional leadership on the men's side," said Sweeney. "Overall the men skied well, but I know they can ski better. I'm optimistic and anxious for tomorrow. We have a very good classical team with the cross country squad and we also have an exceptional alpine team for the giant slalom. It would be nice to wrap up this event on a high note, so we can focus on the NCAA Championships."

The Ute skiers will have at it again, tomorrow, Feb. 24, as the team competes in the 10 and 15 km classical and the giant slalom events. After day two of the RMISA Regional Championship is completed, the Utes will gear up to ski in the 2003 NCAA Championships.