Ute Skiers Still In Fifth At CU Invitational

Friday, February 3

Steamboat, Colo.

All Day

University of Utah

Colorado Invitational (GS)

2/4/2006 12:00 AM | Skiing

Feb. 4, 2006

Complete Team Results in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. -- With the opening day of alpine events finalized, the overall team standings remain the same as the University of Utah ski team still holds on to fifth place at the 2006 Colorado Invitational.

Host Colorado is taking full advantage of the home venues as they continue to hold onto the top spot. The Lobos of New Mexico are placed second and hold a fair lead over the defending NCAA champion Denver in third. Alaska-Anchorage finished fourth, while the Utes are battling for a podium finish in fifth.

The women's alpine side had one of the best races this winter, competing in the giant slalom and finishing with two skiers in the top 10. Park City, Utah native Kim Stephens led the team with her best GS finish of the season. The sophomore skier tallied a fourth-place performance with a blazing two-run time of 2:19.99. Freshman and fellow Park City, Utah native Chelsea Laswell rallied to eighth in 2:21.45, marking her best finish of the season. All-American transfer Erika Hogan notched 20th with a time of 2:25.64.

Senior Lauren Lattimer had a difficult day on the hill and was unable to finish the race, while freshman Mikaela Grassl did not start.

The men's downhill team has been plagued with injuries, after losing both Andi Wieser and newcomer Kyle Kung earlier this season. But that didn't stop Gaspar Perricone as he exploded to a fifth-place performance in the slalom with a time of 1:27.55. This marked a season best for the junior. Senior All-American Ben Thornhill couldn't quite crack the top 20, but raced to 21st with a time of 1:29.82.

Freshman standout Scott Veenis was in eighth place after the first run, but did not finish the second and was unable to score. Senior Will McDonald did not start.

Tomorrow (Feb. 4), the alpine squad will be back in action, competing in the final day of the 13th annual Colorado Invite. Utah is hopeful to make strides in the men's GS and women's SL events, which will be held at both the Mount Werner and Howelsen Hill resorts. Race times will be all day.

Colorado Invitational Team Results: 1. Colorado, 460; 2. New Mexico, 406; 3. Denver, 388.5; 4. Alaska-Anchorage, 349; 5. Utah, 316; 6. Montana State, 250.5; 7. Nevada, 250; 8. Western State, 172; 9. Whitman, 105; 10. Wyoming, 58; 11. Boise State, 9.