Western Nordic Wins At Home, Alpine Take On Powderhorn

The Western Colorado University Ski Team notched multiple podium finishes this weekend with strong results across the board. While the Nordic Ski Team hosted the WCU Invitational on their home tracks in Crested Butte, the Alpine Ski Team traveled to Powderhorn Mountain Resort near Mesa, CO. Both teams compete in the Rocky Mountain Conference as a part of the US Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association.

The Nordic Ski Team kicked off the weekend with the Alley Loop 21km freestyle. Western’s men won the day with 14 points, ahead of University of Wyoming (30), and Colorado Mesa University (44). Senior Conner Nilsen led the team in 3^rd, followed by junior Graydon Walker (5^th), and senior Albert Hesse (6^th). Maxime Maronde of Denver University won the day in a time of 1:07:26.

Western’s women finished Saturday’s race in 4^th with 39 points, behind Wyoming (8), Colorado College (34), and Colorado State University (34). Freshman Maddy Rosenberger led the team in 7^th, followed by senior Hannah Cryder (11^th) and sophomore Eirwen McClish (24^th). Wyoming’s Sammy Veauthier won the day with a time of 1:23:18.

A Nordic ski athlete competes in a race in Crested Butte, CO

Western’s men took home another win in Sunday’s 5km classic with 11 points, followed by Wyoming (20), and Colorado Mesa (31). Conner Nilsen again led the Western squad with a 2^nd place showing. Graydon Walker finished 4^th while sophomore Tyler Hippchen secured his first career top 5 with a 5^th place finish. Colorado Mesa’s Iver Skaarseth posted the winning time of 15:19.

The women had a strong showing and were able to secure 2^nd in the 5km classic with 41 points. Wyoming took home the win (6), while Colorado Mesa took 3^rd (45). Western’s Hannah Cryder and Maddy Rosenberger placed 7^th and 8^th on the day. Erica Meyers of Wyoming won in 18:48.

On the Alpine side, Western competed in two races this weekend at Powderhorn Mountain Resort. The men’s team had a great showing, with sophomore Tucker Schultz leading the way with 2nd place in slalom and 9^th in dual slalom. Freshman Noah Bagley placed 19^th in slalom and 11^th in dual slalom. On the women’s side, sophomore Parker Bolyard secured the first top-30 finish of her career.

Next up: Nordic competes at the CSU Invite in Leadville, CO on February 10^th – 11^th, while Alpine travels to Keystone, CO on February 17^th – 18^th for their last conference race before regionals.

Author Credit: Kevin Geisen
Photo Credit: Courtesy