Montana State Skiers on Fire in Alaska

Friday, February 27

Anchorage, AK

Montana State University

RMISA/NCAA West Regional Championships - Nordic Freestyle

Sawyer Kesselheim

Photo by: Curtis Snyder

2/27/2015 6:16:00 PM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing, Skiing

“It was scary to watch,” MSU Alpine Head Coach Kevin Francis said. “They were really going for it on the first run and were kind of all over the place. Don’t get me wrong, it was incredible and athletic, but just scary to watch."

By: Tom Schulz

The Montana State ski team carried its momentum from the Seawolf Invitational into the opening day of the 2015 Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association/NCAA West Regional Championships, Friday afternoon at Alyeska Resort and Kincaid Park.

In all, the Bobcats placed seven skiers among the top ten over four events.

David Neuhauser and Garret Driller continued their outstanding speed into Friday's giant slalom, finishing second and third, respectively, while David Owsley just missed the top ten, placing 11^th overall.

"It was scary to watch," MSU Alpine Head Coach Kevin Francis said. "They were really going for it on the first run and were kind of all over the place. Don't get me wrong, it was incredible and athletic, but just scary to watch.

"In the second run, they settled down and skied very mature," Francis said. "They held their positions, even with the risks they took."

Neuhauser had the third quickest time in the first run and answered with the second fastest second run, while Driller, who had the second best time in the first run, moved back a little in the second series.

Neuhauser recorded a two-run total of 2:31.62, while Driller was on his heels in 2:32.29. Owsley registered a two-run clocking of 2:35.05.

Owsley had his best finish of the season, which Francis attributed to the senior from Moscow, Idaho finally figuring it all out and letting his equipment work for him.

The Bobcat trio gave Montana State its best men's giant slalom point total in school history with 92 points to lift MSU into third place in the team standings. Utah sits atop the standings with 315 points, followed by Colorado 307, MSU 277, Denver 268, New Mexico 267, Alaska Anchorage 238, and Colorado Mountain College 23.

"We had a couple of great weeks of training back in Montana and things are starting to line-up," Francis said. "We're peaking at the right time. It seems we are finally catching up to the other teams, who start training earlier in the season."

Benedicte Lyche paced the MSU women's team finishing fifth overall in 2:39.7. The product of Oslo, Norway had the second fastest time after the opening run.

"We had tough conditions and visibility wasn't that great," Francis said. "Bene has been a little inconsistent this season, so getting a top five will give her great confidence as we move forward."

Also contributing for MSU were Kari Hole, 16^th, 2:44.4, Stephanie Irwin, 21^st, 2:47.5, and Elizabeth Koprucki, 25^th, 2:48.8.

The Bobcat Nordic squad placed four racers in the top ten in the freestyle event.

"The course was in phenomenal shape, and our skiers took advantage of it," MSU Nordic Head Coach Kristina Trygstad-Saari said. "By the end of the day we had four top ten results, and we are really happy that the women were able to put two in the top ten."

Junior Annie Liotta looked at home placing seventh in the five-kilometer race with a clocking of 14:20.2. The Anchorage native had one of her best performances of the season. Also scoring for the Bobcats were Cambria McDermott, ninth, 14:22.3, and Anika Miller, 14^th, 14:44.2.

"Annie Liotta skied her best race of the season and I was so excited to see her looking so energetic," Trygstad-Saari said. "Annie has been steadily improving each weekend, and today she showed us her top level. Cambria had another strong performance, finishing ninth. She skates really well and is finding her energy again after traveling to Kazakhstan for the U23 Championships."

Also contributing for the Bobcat women were Lina Hultin, 17^th, 14:51.0, and Isabella Smith, 18^th, 14:53.4.

The MSU men's Nordic contingent was led by Sawyer Kesselheim, who covered the 10K course in 23:30.7. Forrest Mahlen was five seconds behind in eighth place, while Martin Muan rounding out Montana State's scoring in 21^st place.

Also contributing were Noah Andersen, 22^nd, and Erik Axelsson, 24^th.

"Sawyer and Forrest confirmed that they are at the top of the field," Trygstad-Saari said. "Sawyer had his best skate race of the year, finishing just 20-seconds from the podium. He's been racing incredibly smart, pacing well and skiing efficiently. Forrest had his third eighth place of the week. He's on fire right now, and we're just waiting for him to have a top five day."

The championship will finish on Saturday with the slalom and Nordic classical events.