Feb. 22, 2008
BRIDGER BOWL/BOHART RANCH, Mont. — The University of New Mexico ski team is in fourth place with 230 points after Day One of the 2008 NCAA West Regionals. Competition continues on Saturday in the slalom and classical races.
The Lobos lead the Alpine competition with the men and women recording second-place finishes as teams, earning 131 points. Junior Tor Fodnesbergene had the best finish for a Lobo on Day One, second in the giant slalom. Freshman Thomas Schwab tied his young career-best finish at fifth in the event, while classmate Christoffer Norell picked up the final points for the Lobos in 21st.
On the women’s side, junior Karin Ohlin recorded her career-best finish of fifth in the giant slalom, followed closely by sophomore Malin Hemmingsson in sixth. Senior Lene Kaasa picked up points for UNM in 26th place.
Sophomore Polina Ermoshina recorded a career-best sixth-place finish in the women’s 5K freestyle for the Nordic squad. Melanie Zemp placed 16th, while Crystin Jaques placed 24th.
The men’s Nordic squad struggled without top skier Simon Reissmann, a freshman who is sitting out the Regional meet to heal a shoulder injury suffered during training last week. Junior Casey Dyck backed up his career-best at the UNM Invitational with another solid finish with 13th place in the men’s 10K freestyle. Freshman Martin Kaas had a career-best finish with 16th, while Tor-Hakon Hellebostad finished 20th after a two-meet layoff due to illness.
NCAA West Regional – Team standings through four events
1. Colorado – 266
2. Denver – 249
3. Utah – 245
4. New Mexico – 230
5. Nevada – 219
6. Alaska-Anchorage – 214
7. Montana State – 212
8. Whitman – 102
9. Western State – 95