Bobcat Skiers Third After Opening Day at MSU Invitational

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Freshman Louis Muhlen-Schulte finished runner-up in giant slalom on Wednesday.

Photo by: Andrew Pedersen

Bobcat Skiers Third After Opening Day at MSU Invitational

1/16/2019 5:57:00 PM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing, Skiing

“It was an amazing day of racing,” said MSU Alpine head coach Kevin Francis. “The sun was out and the snow was perfect."

By: Tom Schulz

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Montana State freshman Louis Muhlen-Schulte posted a runner-up finish in giant slalom on Wednesday to lead the Bobcat ski team in the opening event of the MSU Invitational on a Bluebird afternoon at Bridger Bowl.

Muhlen-Schulte, a product of South Yarra, Australia, recorded 37 points for the Bobcats to put them in third place in the team standings. Colorado sits atop the leader board with 158.5 points, followed by New Mexico 151, MSU 139, Alaska Anchorage 119, Denver 117, Utah 82, Westminster 80.5, and Colorado Mountain 19.

Muhlen-Schulte put together two solid runs to notch a two-run total of 1:33.51, just .22-seconds behind winner Addison Dvoracek of Utah. Bobcat senior Morten Bakke also recorded a top 10 finish placing eighth in 1:34.69. Bakke moved up nine spots courtesy of his second run to post 23 points.

Rounding out MSU's scoring was Patrick Carry, who finished 27^th in 1:36.74.

Freshman phenom Åge Solheim led the field after the first run with a time out 44.74, but didn't finish his second go after hitting a hole and being knocked off balance. MSU's Florian Szwebel and Zak Vinter were also knocked out of the giant slalom competition in their first and second runs, respectively.

"It was an amazing day of racing," said MSU Alpine head coach Kevin Francis. "The sun was out and the snow was perfect. Everyone was gunning for it and it led to some inconsistent results. It was great to see most racers having really competitive runs. It's time to start putting two together."

The Bobcat women's contingent was led by Stephanie Gartner. The native of Calgary, Alberta, finished sixth in a two-run total of 1:38.04. She was followed by Jocelyn McCarthy, 12^th, 1:39.57, and Mia Henry, 13^th, 1:39.58. Beatrice Lever did not finish her second run.

Colorado's Mikaela Tommy won the women's giant slalom in 1:36.73.

The MSU Invitational will take Thursday off as teams will compete in a NCAA giant slalom qualifier. The slalom races, as well as the opening day of Nordic competition will begin on Friday.