Stephanie Irwin was the highest finisher for MSU in the slalom race on Saturday.
Photo by: Neil Hetherington
Skiing Finishes Seventh at NCAA Championships
3/10/2012 8:29:00 PM | Skiing
MSU sets new program record after impressive week of skiing
Montana State closed out the 2012 NCAA Skiing Championships on Saturday with an impressive seventh place finish. Over the course of the four-day competition, the Bobcats amassed five All-American performances, contributing to their 502.5 total points.
Vermont was named this year's champion with 832 points.
The final day of skiing took place at Bridger Bowl, closing out with the men's and women's slalom races. In the women's race, Stephanie Irwin led the Bobcat competitors with a 14th place finish with a combined time of 1:36.90 (45.43 – 51:47), amidst warming temperatures on the mountain. Just behind Irwin was teammate Marissa Riopelle in 17th. Riopelle clocked in at 1:37.11 (44.96 – 52.15). Montana State's third alpine racer, Kelly McBroom finished her first NCAA Championship in 31st place, crossing the finish line in 2:14.50 (57.08 – 1:17.42).
Kate Ryley was the overall winner in the women's race with a time of 1:35.17 (43.76 – 51.41).
In the men's slalom race, MSU didn't have as much success as their opening day in the giant slalom but competitors Mike Radford and Geoff Irwin still produced notable performances.
Radford, who placed ninth in the giant slalom on Thursday, earning his first All-American nod, put together a combined time of 1:52.73 (57.11 – 55.62) to come in 18th overall. Radford became the first alpine All-American since Spela Bertoncelj in 2006.
Geoff Irwin rounded out the Cat competitors with a 22nd place run in 1:53.81 (58.96 – 54.85).
Espen Lysdahl of Denver was the winner in the men's competition in 1:48.28 (52.62 - 55.66).
“I am really proud of these kids this week,” said Director of Skiing Dan Brelsford. “Conditions were pretty tough at the end of the week and we were able to put together some good runs. It was great to be the host team of the NCAA Championships and have these races here at home.”
MSU ranked as high as fourth throughout the championships, going back to the opening day after the freestyle Nordic events.
Montana State's 502.5 points sets a new program record of points scored at the championships, which was previously 410 set in 2010. Their seventh place finish is the program's highest finish since the programs combined in 2004.
Vermont was named this year's champion with 832 points.
The final day of skiing took place at Bridger Bowl, closing out with the men's and women's slalom races. In the women's race, Stephanie Irwin led the Bobcat competitors with a 14th place finish with a combined time of 1:36.90 (45.43 – 51:47), amidst warming temperatures on the mountain. Just behind Irwin was teammate Marissa Riopelle in 17th. Riopelle clocked in at 1:37.11 (44.96 – 52.15). Montana State's third alpine racer, Kelly McBroom finished her first NCAA Championship in 31st place, crossing the finish line in 2:14.50 (57.08 – 1:17.42).
Kate Ryley was the overall winner in the women's race with a time of 1:35.17 (43.76 – 51.41).
In the men's slalom race, MSU didn't have as much success as their opening day in the giant slalom but competitors Mike Radford and Geoff Irwin still produced notable performances.
Radford, who placed ninth in the giant slalom on Thursday, earning his first All-American nod, put together a combined time of 1:52.73 (57.11 – 55.62) to come in 18th overall. Radford became the first alpine All-American since Spela Bertoncelj in 2006.
Geoff Irwin rounded out the Cat competitors with a 22nd place run in 1:53.81 (58.96 – 54.85).
Espen Lysdahl of Denver was the winner in the men's competition in 1:48.28 (52.62 - 55.66).
“I am really proud of these kids this week,” said Director of Skiing Dan Brelsford. “Conditions were pretty tough at the end of the week and we were able to put together some good runs. It was great to be the host team of the NCAA Championships and have these races here at home.”
MSU ranked as high as fourth throughout the championships, going back to the opening day after the freestyle Nordic events.
Montana State's 502.5 points sets a new program record of points scored at the championships, which was previously 410 set in 2010. Their seventh place finish is the program's highest finish since the programs combined in 2004.
Interim Bobcat Insider - Jeff Choate & Nellie Talbot
Thursday, November 12
NCAA Ski Championships Recap
Saturday, March 10
NCAA Ski Championships | Day 2 Recap
Thursday, March 08
NCAA Ski Championships | Day 1 Recap
Wednesday, March 07
