Ute Skiers Finish Third Overall At UAA Invite

Thursday, January 12

Park City, Utah

3rd

University of Utah

Alaska-Anchorage Invitational (SL)

1/13/2006 12:00 AM | Skiing

Jan. 13, 2006

Complete Team Results in PDF Format
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Complete Alpine Results in PDF Format
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PARK CITY, Utah -- The University of Utah ski team raced to a third-place overall team finish in the final day of the Alaska-Anchorage Invitational. The men's alpine team finished third in the slalom, while the women's downhill squad placed seventh in the giant slalom.

Denver (553) held on to a two point lead over second place Colorado to claim the first-place finish. The Utes (498) were unable to catch the Pioneers or Buffs, but held on to third. New Mexico (491) jumped a spot to place fourth in the final day of alpine events to beatout host Alaska-Anchorage (457).

Freshman Scott Veenis is making a name for himself, coming off yesterday's first-place finish in the giant slalom. The Massanutten, Virginia native skied third in the men's slalom with an amazing time of 1:32.32. Slalom specialist Will McDonald raced to 12th with a two run time of 1:33.87, while teammate Gaspar Perricone rallied to 16th in 1:34.14.

Senior All-American Ben Thornhill finished 17th and freshman Kyle Kung claimed 45th after crashing in the second run, following a third-place first run finish.

"The men were strong once again and are really skiing well," said head alpine coach Jaka Korencan. "Scott is skiing great, which is really good to see for him. Will had a great second run and placed well for us. Gaspar was solid and is skiing to his potential."

The women's team had another tough day in the women's giant slalom, scoring only two skiers in the top 15. Park City, Utah native Kim Stephens led the squad once again with her ninth-place finish with a two run time of 2:08.59. Fellow local skier Chelsea Laswell raced to 13th with a time of 2:09.25 and freshman Mikaela Grassl made her mark, placing 24th in 2:10.33.

Senior All-American transfer Erika Hogan had yet another difficult day on the mountain. The Holmes, New York native did not finish the first run and was unable to qualify for team points.

"We loss our best skier today, which was tough for scoring," said Korencan. "Erika's crash was difficult, but I felt Kim had another great showing. We struggled a little overall and we have a few things we need to work on."

Next up, the Ute ski team will be back in action at the Montana State Invitation, Jan. 14-15. The nordic and alpine events will be held at Bohart Ranch and Big Sky Resort. Race times are all day.

Alaska-Anchorage Team Scores: 1. Denver 553; 2. Colorado 551; 3. Utah 498; 4. New Mexico 491; 5. Alaska-Anchorage 457; 6. Montana State 364; 7. Nevada 298; 8. Whitman 198, 9. Western State 183; 10. Boise State 59; 11. Wyoming 52.