Utes Remain In Third-Place At Utah Invitational

Monday, January 12

Park City, Utah

TBA

University of Utah

Utah Invitational (Alpine)

Utes Remain In Third-Place At Utah Invitational

1/12/2004 12:00 AM | Skiing

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Jan. 12, 2004

Complete Results

PARK CITY, Utah - After an amazing second day of skiing, the No. 1 ranked University of Utah remains in third-place at the Utah Invitational. The Utes' alpine team rallied to a 268.0 overall point total after competing in the men's slalom and women's giant slalom. Currently, New Mexico (287) and Denver (275) hold down the first- and second-place standings. The nordic team will finish up the invite Jan. 23-24, events will be held at Soldier Hollow, Utah.

"This was an awesome day," said Head Coach Kevin Sweeney. "April won the GS which was outrageous. I feel like this is going to be a great season. We opened up really well, but I feel we have skied to half of our potential."

Junior April Mancuso held nothing back, winning the giant slalom with a time of 2:06.51. Cooma, Australia, native Rowena Hyldahl finished the day placing fifth with an overall time of 2:07.84. Junior Elisha Stephens tied Colorado's Kristen Taylor for 10th-place with a time of 2:08.78.

"April is one of the best success stories in the history of Utah skiing," remarked Head Alpine Coach Aaron Atkins. "We are amazed the way she has started off this season. As a whole, our women's team was incredible."

"For the first race on the season, we skied great," said Atkins. "We saw flashes of brilliancy through the events and many of our skiers really broke out and skied well. I'm fully confident in this team and we will definitely be in the hunt for the national title."

On the men's team, the newcomers are tearing up the slopes with amazing downhill performances. Sophomore Will McDonald had another great day, finishing fourth with a time of 1:43.27. Teammate Andi Weiser was a little over a second behind McDonald finishing seventh with a time of 1:44.29. Junior Ben Thornhill skied to a 14th-place finish after placing sixth in the GS the day before.

"We defiantly are a high spirited team," said Sweeney. "I'm excited the way Aaron and Jaka have prepared our alpine team. They are doing a great job."

Next up, the Utes' alpine team will journey to Sugar Bowl, Calif., while the nordic squad will travel to the Auburn Ski Club to compete in the Nevada Invitational. Day one of the event (Jan. 15) will feature the alpine GS and the nordic 5/10 FS. Day two of the invite (Jan. 16) will be the SL and 15/20 CL events.

Utah Invitational Results:

1. New Mexico           287.02. Denver               275.03. Utah                 268.04. Colorado             210.55. Alaska Anchorage     160.56. Montana State        157.57. Western State        130.58. Nevada               120.09. Boise State          106.510. Whitman              93.0