Utah Skies To Fifth At NCAA West Regionals

Friday, February 25

Bozeman, Mont.

5th

University of Utah

MSI/Regional Championships (GS/CL)

2/25/2005 12:00 AM | Skiing

Feb. 25, 2005

West Regional Team and Alpine Results in PDF Format
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West Regional Classical Results in PDF Format
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BOZEMAN, Mont. -- The University of Utah ski team climbs to fifth-place in the opening day of the NCAA West Regional Championships. The Utes were not at full strength today as nordic skiers Daniel Sonntag, Casey Simons and Sandra Gredig were all unable to compete in the classical race due to illness.

"We had a tough day," remarked Head Coach Kevin Sweeney. "Unfortunately, we didn't have full recovery from illness like I expected. Our team score didn't come out as we had hoped, but I'm confident in this team and we are expecting a good showing in tomorrow's races."

Currently, Denver (293) stands in first-place, while New Mexico (259.5) is on the heels of the Pioneers finishing second. Alaska-Anchorage (245.5) made a surprising surge to finish third and Colorado (226.5) raced to fourth. The Utes (212) are still in the hunt claiming fifth midway through the Regional Championships.

Although the Utes weren't 100-percent, the alpine team managed to make some noise in the giant slalom event. The senior class led the women squad, posting two scores in the top-10. Senior April Mancuso has skied into the top-10 in every GS race this season and the streak continues as the All-American finished fifth in 1:42.01. Fellow senior Rowena Hyldahl raced to sixth with a two-run time of 1:42.06. Senior Elisha Stephens ended with one of her best finishes this season, placing 20th with a time of 1:46.43. All-American Lina Johansson did not finish the first run and was unable to qualify for points.

On the men's side, Utah finished with all three scores in the top-16. Senior Mark Heinrich-Wallace has been a huge boost for the Utes this season and today was no exception. The Park City, Utah, native finished with an eighth-place finish with a time of 1:28.36. Junior Will McDonald had yet another solid race placing 14th in 1:28.72, while senior All-American Ben Thornhill rounded out the Utes' scoring with his 16th-place performance in 1:29.14.

Without the support of sophomore sensation Gredig, Utah pulled together and several cross country skiers produced great results in the 5-km CL. All-American Barbro Hatlevik has been battling illness since the Denver Invitational, but showed her senior leadership by finishing with a 10th-place finish in 17:39.7. Sophomore Nicole Naef skied to one of her best skate finishes of the season, placing 15th with a time of 17:53.4. Junior Linda Pettersson has come on strong last in the season, this time claiming 18th-place in 18:02.6. Senior Anna Sprague notched 28th and junior Ashley McQueen garnered 29th.

"It was exciting to see those skiers that have recovered from illness skiing so well," remarked Sweeney. "Barbro has been sick most of the season and it was great to see her back in action. Nicole also scored really well. I was pleased with the NCAA qualifying results."

Although Utah was without the help of skate specialist Sonntag and Simons, newcomer Magnus Carlsson found it within himself to headline the men's 10-km CL event. The Skellftea, Sweden, native skated to seventh-place with a time of 29:56.7. Junior Jess Kiesel also made a good showing, finishing 22th in 32:32.5, while Tony Bozzio grabbed 34th in 33:54.7.

"Magnus has been sick as well and it was great to see him coming back from illness," added Sweeney. "This was another great NCAA qualifying result."

Tomorrow, Feb. 26, Utah will finalize the West Regional Championships with the men's and women's slalom and 20/15-km freestyle events. Events will be held all day.

NCAA West Regional Team Scores: 1. Denver 293; 2. New Mexico 259.5; 3. Alaska Anchorage 245.5; 4. Colorado 226.5; 5. Utah 212; 6. Montana State 185; 7. Nevada 144; 8. Western State 112.5; 9. Whitman 100; 10. Boise State 35.