Utes Ski Fourth At UNM Invitational

Friday, February 11

Taos, N.M.

4th

University of Utah

New Mexico Invite. (GS)

2/11/2005 12:00 AM | Skiing

Feb. 11, 2005

UNM Invite Team Results in PDF Format
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Nordic Results in PDF Format
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RED RIVER/TAOS RIVER, N.M. -- The University of Utah ski team opened the New Mexico Invitational with a fourth-place finish in the giant slalom and classical events. Due to severe weather conditions, the men's GS was canceled, scoring only three events.

"With the present circumstances, we are happy with our team's results," said Head Coach Kevin Sweeney. "The women's alpine team is skiing extremely well and I really think they are coming together at the right time. We have been battling illness on the cross country side, which has dramatically effected our team results."

The women's alpine squad continues to show the college circuit that they are one of the best teams in the country, highlighting this event with a first-place GS finish. The downhill skiers 77-point total tied with Colorado for the top-spot. Senior Rowena Hyldahl skied to her best college finish of her career, placing first on the podium with a time of 2:06.4. All-American Lina Johansson helped lead the way with her seventh-place finish in 2:07.7, while fellow All-American April Mancuso raced to eighth in 2:07.8.

Freshman Kim Stephens ended the day with a 17th-place finish with a time of 2:10.2, while sister Elisha Stephens skied 24th in 2:11.0.

After dense fog and snowy conditions rolled into Taos Ski Valley, the men's GS race was canceled and will be rescheduled in Bozeman, Mont. "It was unfortunate that the men couldn't race today," remarked Head Alpine Coach Aaron Atkins. "But the women's team really came through, skiing amazingly today. We are geared up and ready to tackle the slalom tomorrow."

Utah's cross country teams have been plagued by illness, which really has taken a toll on the teams. Coach Sweeney decided to sit skiers Daniel Sonntag, Magnus Carlsson and Ashley McQueen due to health conditions.

Although the cross country teams were shorthanded, that didn't stop the Utes from putting up several great results. The Ute women scored two skiers into the top-10. Sophomore Sandra Gredig paved the way for the Utes with her fourth-place finish in 18:34.1. Junior Linda Pettersson recorded a career best seventh-place finish with a time of 19:15.4. Utah's Anna Sprague notched 23rd in 20:35.8 and senior Barbro Hatlevik did not finish.

On the men's side, junior Jess Kiesel finished with his best finish of the season. The Sun Valley, Idaho, native racked up a eighth-place finish in 31:46.5, while sophomore Casey Simons skated to 14th with an overall time of 32:39.2.

"Unfortunately, we have been struggling with sickness on the cross country side," said Sweeney. "This is disappointing, but at the same time I'm very pleased with the athletes that skied today. It was great to see Linda finishing with her best college finish. Sandra has been very consistent all season and Jess really stepped up and finished well today."

Tomorrow, Utah will ski in the men's and women's freestyle and if weather permits the slalom events. Events will be held all day.

Team Scores (Day One)

Colorado              223.0Denver                219.0New Mexico            190.0Utah                  181.0Montana State         153.0Nevada                149.0Whitman                83.0Western State          80.0Boise State            55.0Alaska-Anchorage       28.0