March 10, 2004

The University of Denver turned in two good team results in the men and women's giant slalom races to lead the pack by 20 points today at the NCAA Ski Championships at the Sugar Bowl Resort in Donner Summit Truckee, Calif.

Denver amassed 188 points in the first day to lead second-place Vermont by 20 points (168.0). New Mexico is third after two events with 155 points, and Middlebury College is fourth (150). The Pioneers scored 104 points in the men's giant slalom to give them the lead after trailing Vermont by 15 points after the women's giant slalom.

Denver began the day with a good effort in the women's giant slalom with Pia Rivelsrud pacing the Pioneers with a fifth place finish. Sophie Ormond, who won both alpine events at the NCAA West Regional Meet, finished 15th and Barbara Knor was 16th. The Pioneers earned 84 points in the women's giant slalom to trail Vermont by 15 points.

"We had a solid first race," Director of Skiing Kurt Smitz said. "We did pretty well against the competition. Sophie likes the big hills a little better, so she may have over-skied a little, but it's a good team result."

Dominik Schweiger had the fastest first run time of 56.35, but finished fourth in the giant slalom. Lars Ola Kjos was right behind Schweiger, finishing fifth, trailing by just .10 second. David Lamb was seventh overall to give the Pioneers an excellent team score of 104 points which catapulted the team from second to first.

"Dominik was in first place after the first run, but he hit a hole in the second run which cost him the race. He is a good team player and contributed to our team effort today," Smitz said.

Women's Giant Slalom: 1.Jennifer Delich, New Mexico 1:59.18; 2. Erika Hogan, CU, 1:59.67; 3. Hilary McCloy, UVM, 1:59.77; 4. Jamie Kinsbury, UVM, 1:59.84; 5. Pia Rivelsrud, DU 1:59.87; 6. April Mancuso, Utah, 2:00.10; 7. Jenni LATHROP, CBC, 2:00.22; 7. Jessica Smith, Middlebury, 2:00.22; 9. Rowena Hyldahl, Utah, 2:00.43; 10. Abbi Lathrop, CBC, 2:00.64. Denver finishers: 15. Sophie Ormond, DU, 2:01.28; 16. Barbara Knor, DU, 2:01.34.

Men's Giant Slalom: 1. Ben Thornhill, UU 1:52.24; 2. Petter Roering, UNM 1:52.28; 3. Michal Rajcan, UNR 1:52.32; 4. Dominik Schweiger, DU 1:52.56; 5. Lars Ola Kjos, DU 1:52.65; 6. Tommi Viirret, UNR 1:52.66; 7. David Lamb, DU 1:52.71; 8. Lars Loeseth, UNM 1:52.73; 9. Roger P Brown, DAR 1:53.09; 10. Waren C Nickerson, CBC 1:53.30.

Team Scores:1.   UNIVERSITY OF DENVER               DU    188.02.   UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT              UVM   168.03.   UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO           UNM   155.04.   MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE                 MID   150.55.   UNVERSITY OF UTAH                  UU    137.06.   DARTMOUTH COLLEGE                  DAR   126.07.   COLBY COLLEGE                      CBC   112.58.   UNVERSITY OF COLORADO              CU    107.09.   UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA-RENO          UNR    83.010.  WILLIAMS COLLEGE                   WIL    68.0
                       WOMEN'S GIANT SLALOM 1) UVM  99.0  2) DU  84.0  3) MID  76.5  4) CU  74.0  5) UU  73.0  6) CBC  62.5 7) UNM  60.0  8) DAR  54.0  9) MSU  50.0 10) WIL  46.0 11) BSU  41.0 12) UNH  18.013) UNR  12.0 14) UAA   9.0 15) WHT   6.0
                            MEN'S GIANT SLALOM 1) DU 104.0  2) UNM  95.0  3) MID  74.0  4) DAR  72.0  5) UNR  71.0  6) UVM  69.0 7) UU  64.0  8) CBC  50.0  9) UAA  48.0 10) CU  33.0 11) UNH  26.0 12) WIL  22.013) BAT  16.0 14) WHT  15.0 15) WSC   6.0