Driller wins RMISA/NCAA West Regional Slalom Title

Saturday, February 28

Anchorage, AK

Montana State University

RMISA/NCAA West Regional Championships - Nordic Classical

Freshman Garret Driller won the RMISA/NCAA West Regional slalom title on Saturday.

Photo by: Sam Wasson

2/28/2015 7:49:00 PM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing, Skiing

“We haven’t had a win in two years and now we have two in one week,” MSU Head Alpine Coach Kevin Francis said. “Garret came out of the gate in both runs and skied the first ten gates all over the place. Then he settled down, got into a rhythm and started pushing for speed. He is showing that he can compete for the win in both slalom and giant slalom. I couldn’t ask for more from a true-freshman”

By: Tom Schulz

After Saturday's slalom race at the 2015 Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association/NCAA West Regional Championships, the future of Montana State skiing looks pretty bright. However, it's the present that counts, and that's not too shabby, as well.

Freshman Garret Driller put together a two-run total of 1:21.77 to capture the men's slalom title, a first for the Bobcat program at the NCAA West Regional meet. It was Driller's second individual title of the week.

"We haven't had a win in two years and now we have two in one week," MSU Head Alpine Coach Kevin Francis said. "Garret came out of the gate in both runs and skied the first ten gates all over the place. Then he settled down, got into a rhythm and started pushing for speed. He is showing that he can compete for the win in both slalom and giant slalom. I couldn't ask for more from a true-freshman"

Also scoring for the Bobcats were David Neuhauser, who placed 17^th in 1:25.29, and David Owsley, 19^th, with a two-run clocking of 1:25.83.

Benedicte Lyche guided the MSU women, placing ninth with a two-run total of 1:29.27. She was followed by Kari Hole, 12^th, 1:29.40, Stephanie Irwin, 13^th, 1:29, 48, Tenaya Driller, 17^th, 1:31.78, and Elizabeth Koprucki, 21^st, 1:32.7.

"The team has worked so hard this year," Francis said. "It is great to see it paying off."

Lina Hultin had MSU's best Nordic race of the afternoon, placing a season-best 11^th in the classical discipline covering the 15-kilometer course in a time of 45:25.4. She was followed closely by Cambria McDermott, who finished 12^th in 45:32.3. Rounding out Montana State's scoring was Annie Liotta, 17^th, 46:52.9.

"It was a challenging day out there for us," MSU Head Nordic Coach Kristina Trygstad-Saari said. "The course did not set up well, so the conditions were soft and continued to break down. The highlight of the day was Lina Hultin's finish, a personal best for her. She and Cambria skied together, chasing the lead pack. They fought until the end."

The Bobcat men were led by Sawyer Kesselheim, who skied the 20k course in 52:22.8 for 15^th place. Forrest Mahlen finished one spot back in 16^th with a time of 53:01.0. Martin Muan rounded out MSU's scoring, placing 22^nd in 54:04.3.

Colorado rallied to win the team title. The Buffaloes racked-up 651 points and were followed by Utah 609, New Mexico 550, Denver 542, MSU 513, Alaska-Anchorage 474 and Colorado Mountain College 73. MSU's fifth place showing and 513 points were both season highs.

Montana State will now wait to see how many skiers qualified for the NCAA Championships, March 11-14 in Lake Placid, New York. A full squad to the NCAA meet is twelve student-athletes.