Freshman Solheim Reaches Podium; Cats Third at CU Invitational

Jocelyn McCarthy on the slalom course.

Freshman Solheim Reaches Podium; Cats Third at CU Invitational

1/10/2019 5:56:00 PM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing, Skiing

“It is great to see Åge so consistent,” said MSU alpine head coach Kevin Francis. “He’s got more speed left in the tank, but he’s taking care of business and getting on the podium.”

By: Tom Schulz

NEDERLAND, Colo. – Montana State freshman Åge Solheim placed third overall in giant slalom action with two solid runs to guide the Bobcats to third place in the team standings after the opening-day of the Colorado Invitational and Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association season on Thursday afternoon at Eldora Mountain Resort.

The product of Stårheim, Norway opened with the third fastest run in a time of 54.58. Solheim had the ninth quickest second race, and his combined 1:53.13 was good enough to reach the podium.

"It is great to see Åge so consistent," said MSU alpine head coach Kevin Francis. "He's got more speed left in the tank, but he's taking care of business and getting on the podium."

Also scoring for the Bobcats were Louis Muhlen-Schulte, 14^th, 1:54.58, and Morten Bakke, 20^th, 1:55.15. Muhlen-Schulte, a freshman from South Yarra, Australia, recorded the fifth fastest second run to move up 14 spots on the final board.

"Individual runs continue to be great," Francis commented. "We just need to keep working on consistency."

Denver's Tobias Kogler won the men's giant slalom in 1:52.32.

Seniors Jocelyn McCarthy and Stephanie Gartner guided the Bobcat women's contingent placing seventh and eighth, respectively. McCarthy used a strong second run to move up six spots and claim her second straight top 10 showing. McCarthy's second run of 58.93 gave her a total two-run clocking of 1:57.05.

Gartner, who finished third in the RMISA/NCAA Giant Slalom Qualifier on Wednesday, opened with the fourth fastest run at 57:01. She finished with a two-run showing of 1:57.20. Rounding out MSU's scoring was Mia Henry, who placed 14^th overall in 1:57.95.

"Jocelyn continues to impress, skiing in the best giant slalom of her life," Francis stated. "Steph had some trouble on the second run, but shows consistent speed."

Bobcat newcomer Beatrix Lever finished 16^th overall after moving 11 spots up the ladder with the fifth fastest final run. She recorded a two-run total of 1:58.49.

"It was great to see Trixie (Beatrix Lever) have two good runs after returning from injury, recently," Francis added.

DU's Tuva Norbye captured the women's GS title in 1:54.98.

Denver sits atop the team standings after the opening day with 169 points. The Pioneers are followed by Utah 159, MSU 130, New Mexico 126, Colorado 119, Alaska Anchorage 117, Westminster 77, and Colorado Mountain 28.

The CU Invitational will continue on Friday with the slalom and dual slalom races.

Montana State Racers: Men's Giant Slalom- 3. Åge Solheim, 1:53.13; 14. Louis Muhlen-Schulte, 1:54.58; 20. Morten Bakke, 1:55.15; 25. Patrick Carry, 1:55.59; 33. Zak Vinter, 1:57.81. Florian Szwebel, DNF, 1^st run. Women's Giant Slalom- 7. Jocelyn McCarthy, 1:57.05; 8. Stephanie Gartner, 1:57.20; 14. Mia Henry, 1:57.95; 16. Beatrix Lever, 1:58.49.