Feb. 24, 2006
The University of New Mexico ski team came on strong in the final day of the 2006 NCAA West Regional/RMISA Championships in Reno, Nev., to finish second in the meet. The Lobos, who started the day in third place, posted 547.5 points in the two-day event, passing defending national champion Denver (533). Colorado won the meet with 577 total points.
The men’s Alpine team continued to dominate with freshman Tor Fodnesbergene winning today’s slalom with a time of 1:14.24. He swept both Alpine events at the NCAA West Regional, the first Lobo to accomplish that feat since Marte Dolva won both women’s events in 2001. Junior Lars Loeseth was right behind him in second place, recording a two-run time of 1:15.16 for his best slalom finish of the year. Freshman Tyson McGinty crossed the line in 19th place (1:20.46), which was his best mark of the season.
Junior Dirk Grimm led the men’s Nordic team with his third freestyle win of the season. The top-ranked freestyle skier in the RMISA crossed the line in 49:58.8 in the men’s 20K. Senior Geir-Endre Rogn placed third in the race, less than one second behind Grimm with a time of 50:01.4. Junior Jedd Young recorded a season-high 10th place finish with a time of 51:42.6.
The women’s Alpine team was led by freshman Karin Ohlin’s fifth place time of 1:21.15 in the slalom. Colorado’s Lucie Zikova set the mark with a two-run time of 1:19.74. Senior Kathrin Spendier finished in 12th place (1:21.93) while senior Galdys Weidt placed 15th (1:22.67).
The Lobo women’s Nordic team placed three skiers in the top-12 in their 15K freestyle race. Sophomore Marit Rognmo led the way in sixth place with a time of 43:55.4. Colorado’s Jana Rehemaa won the race in 42:47.9. Freshman Crystin Jacques was just over a second behind Rognmo in seventh place (43:56.5). Sophomore Laura Van Alst placed 12th in the race with a time of 45:27.6.
“We always try to win every meet, but under the circumstances I am happy with our second place finish,” stated UNM head coach George Brooks. “We’ve gathered some momentum for the NCAAs and we will be a contender. I feel this team is stronger than the 2004 squad, but the competition at this year’s NCAAs will be tougher than two years ago.”
The Lobos have qualified a full team of 12 skiers for the NCAA Championships. Only two other teams in the West – Utah and Denver – qualified 12 skiers. Colorado, who won the 2006 RMISA only have 11 skiers competing. The 2006 NCAA Championships are set for March 8-11 in Steamboat Springs, Colo., and will be hosted by the University of Colorado. The Lobo ski team won UNM’s first national title in any sport in 2004.
NCAA West Regional/RMISA Championships
Final Team Scores
1. Colorado 577
2. New Mexico 547.5
3. Denver 533
4. Alaska-Anchorage 465.5
5. Utah 373
6. Montana State 345
7. Nevada 336.5
8. Western State 226.5
9. Whitman 216
10. Boise State 66