Denver victorious at UNM ski meet
By Rich Stromberg, Feb. 13, 2007                                                        See the photo gallery

The Denver University ski team dominated the University of New Mexico Invitational at Enchanted Forest in Red River and Taos Ski Valley on Friday and Saturday. The Pioneers built up a team score of 592.5 to beat second-place University of Colorado and third-place UNM in the final regular-season event of the RMISA.^[1] The University of Alaska Anchorage^[2] Seawolves placed fifth overall, but excelled in men’s Nordic skiing placing first in freestyle^[3] and second in the classic race.

Individual standouts include Sarah Schaedler of Western State College who won the women’s giant slalom, Paul Schauer of UAA who won his first collegiate event with the 10K freestyle^[4], Maria Grevsgaard of CU who won both women’s Nordic events, plus Tor Fodnesbergene, Malin Hemmingsson and Lars Loeseth from UNM who won the men’s slalom, women’s slalom and men’s giant slalom, respectively.

Snow conditions in Taos were perfect where alpine skiers like a fast course. Some thought the giant slalom course was too flat, preferring a steeper run with faster times. Most skiers felt that the slalom course was long as was evident by their shortness of breath after each run. Trail conditions in Red River were more challenging with icy trails in the morning turning to spring slush by middday.

DU’s Nordic ski coach, Wolf Wallendorf, said that the women’s team is getting better and better over the last three weeks as they work their way to the NCAA nationals in Jackson, N.H. DU’s top qualifier, Annelise Bailly, placed a solid third and fourth in her two events, while Courtney Dauwalter skied a much-improved sixth and ninth place in her events. The Pioneers team placed second overall in the women’s classic event and first in the men’s classic.

“Our men’s classic with first, second, sixth and ninth was pretty solid,” Wallendorf said. “They definitely skied the way they can. They’re on track and getting better and better. We have five NCAA-qualified men: Rene^[5], John^[6]. We have to make a decision on the third guy.^[7]”

DU alpine coach Andy LeRoy was pleased with the men’s team win in both the slalom and giant slalom as well as the women’s second-place team score in the giant slalom.

“Our guys skied excellent this week,” LeRoy said. “They were competitive. It’s impressive to see them. Adam Cole has solidified himself for NCAAs. He’s on the podium pretty much every time he’s finished.^[8] The other guys[9] are fighting for those last two spots.”

LeRoy said the women had good results as well with Jennifer Tank fourth in the giant slalom and Claire Abbe was successful with a fourth place in the slalom. LeRoy said the women’s NCAA team is still up in the air as athletes going to nationals need to be strong in both events.

Second place CU took first place in the women’s giant slalom and second in women’s slalom. Heidi Hillenbrand placed second in the slalom, while Lucie Zikova placed third in the slalom and seventh in the giant slalom. Maria Grevsgaard was first in both the women’s skate and classic events and Matthew Gelso came in second in the men’s 10K skate and third in the 10K classic.

“Maria and Matt were my only healthy people,” said Nordic coach Bruce Cranmer. “The others were a little bit sick or were sick and not completely well. Matt has been training fairly hard. But he’s not trying to peak yet. His focus is on regionals and nationals and world juniors after the NCAAs.”

“Maria has been solid all year,” Cranmer said. “She has trained well and has a great attitude. She’s a tough competitor and it’s great to see her skiing well. She’s skiing right up there with the best of them.”

Cranmer says his team is 90-percent ready for NCAA nationals with Kit Richmond, Karl Nygren, Kristin Roennestrand and Lenka Palanova likely to compete.

Ski meet host UNM placed third overall with team wins in the women’s 5K classic and women’s slalom, plus a second place for the team in men’s slalom. Nordic coach Fredrik Landstedt was pleased with the women’s team where Ermoshsina Polina placed second, Melanie Zemp was eighth and Crystin Jaques was ninth in the 5K classic

“I expect three girls to place top-10 in every race,” Landstedt said. “I expect three guys in the top-20, but they’re not there yet. Four girls are qualified for nationals now. Polina is going for sure.”

With the exception of Stefanie Klocker’s second place finish in the women’s slalom, the UAA Seawolves were shut out of the alpine podiums. The men’s Nordic team fared much better with a team win in the freestyle and a team second place in the classic. After placing ninth in the 10K classic on Friday^[10], Paul Schauer won the 10K freestyle on Saturday. Fifth-ranked NCAA qualifier Raphael Wunderle delivered a solid weekend with third place in the freestyle and fourth in the classic.

"It was incredible to watch Paul win on Saturday," said coach Trond Flagstad. "And this may be Raphael's best classic. He's really happy. He trained twice a day in Steamboat - up to 60 kilometers per day."

One other standout to watch for at nationals is Western State’s Sarah Schaedler who won first in the giant slalom and fifth in the slalom.

“We’re really happy about how she’s skiing this year,” said coach Jesse Crandall. “She’s proved that she’s a good GS skier and her slalom is improving. Her first slalom of the season was 10^th, then a seventh and now fifth. I’m really optimistic about regionals.^[11]”

For complete race results, please visit www.rmisa.org

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