Bobcat Skiers Open Season at Utah Invitational
1/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing
After a 17-year hiatus, the boys are back.
Put the name Tyler Smedsrud to memory as the answer to a future trivia question. Smedsrud, a freshman from Red Lodge, will be Montana State’s first skier down the hill at the season-opening University of Utah Invitational, Jan. 11-12 in Park City.
The MSU men’s team hasn’t been in existence since the 1986 season, after being cut along with the women’s squad due to budget concerns. However, the Bobcat women’s team was resurrected in 1994, and has been competing at the NCAA level ever since.
As a lone entity, the Bobcat women have not been able to compete for a national championship as the NCAA Skiing crown is based on a combined men’s and women’s score.
Now, a once illustrious program, can again vie for the coveted top spot in collegiate skiing.
The Utah Invitational will open with the giant slalom race on Sunday, followed by the slalom event on Monday morning. The Nordic portion of the invitational will not be held until Jan. 23-24, as its participants prepare for the upcoming US National Cross Country Skiing Championships.
“It’s very exciting to head into this season with a men’s and women’s squad,” said MSU director of skiing and head alpine coach Dan Brelsford. “We have high expectations for our women’s team.
“Our guys are young and untested,” Brelsford said. “They certainly have the physical capability, but could struggle with the mental strength aspect of racing. They haven’t gone up against older, more experienced racers like they’ll see this weekend.”
Aside from Smedsrud, who captured the Junior Olympic giant slalom national title last winter, also racing for the Bobcats will be Robbie Massie (Wayzata, Minn); Wes Powell (Sun Valley, Idaho) and Chris Gibson (Steamboat Springs, Colo.).
The MSU women’s contingent will be led by 2003 NCAA qualifiers Alex Munteanu and Andrea Drew. In addition, newcomers Smaranda Munteanu, Crystal Wright and Catherine Baskins will also begin their quest for a spot in the NCAA Championships. Also competing in Utah will be Polly Hopkins, Brenna Kelleher and Rebecca Levine.
Teams competing in the Utah Invitational include UU, MSU, Alaska-Anchorage, Denver, Colorado, Boise State, Western State, New Mexico, Nevada and Whitman. Utah is the defending NCAA National Champions.
Put the name Tyler Smedsrud to memory as the answer to a future trivia question. Smedsrud, a freshman from Red Lodge, will be Montana State’s first skier down the hill at the season-opening University of Utah Invitational, Jan. 11-12 in Park City.
The MSU men’s team hasn’t been in existence since the 1986 season, after being cut along with the women’s squad due to budget concerns. However, the Bobcat women’s team was resurrected in 1994, and has been competing at the NCAA level ever since.
As a lone entity, the Bobcat women have not been able to compete for a national championship as the NCAA Skiing crown is based on a combined men’s and women’s score.
Now, a once illustrious program, can again vie for the coveted top spot in collegiate skiing.
The Utah Invitational will open with the giant slalom race on Sunday, followed by the slalom event on Monday morning. The Nordic portion of the invitational will not be held until Jan. 23-24, as its participants prepare for the upcoming US National Cross Country Skiing Championships.
“It’s very exciting to head into this season with a men’s and women’s squad,” said MSU director of skiing and head alpine coach Dan Brelsford. “We have high expectations for our women’s team.
“Our guys are young and untested,” Brelsford said. “They certainly have the physical capability, but could struggle with the mental strength aspect of racing. They haven’t gone up against older, more experienced racers like they’ll see this weekend.”
Aside from Smedsrud, who captured the Junior Olympic giant slalom national title last winter, also racing for the Bobcats will be Robbie Massie (Wayzata, Minn); Wes Powell (Sun Valley, Idaho) and Chris Gibson (Steamboat Springs, Colo.).
The MSU women’s contingent will be led by 2003 NCAA qualifiers Alex Munteanu and Andrea Drew. In addition, newcomers Smaranda Munteanu, Crystal Wright and Catherine Baskins will also begin their quest for a spot in the NCAA Championships. Also competing in Utah will be Polly Hopkins, Brenna Kelleher and Rebecca Levine.
Teams competing in the Utah Invitational include UU, MSU, Alaska-Anchorage, Denver, Colorado, Boise State, Western State, New Mexico, Nevada and Whitman. Utah is the defending NCAA National Champions.
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