USCSA wraps 43rd annual championships at Whiteface

By Published On: March 17th, 2022Comments Off on USCSA wraps 43rd annual championships at Whiteface

The U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) concluded a week of competition for its Collegiate National Championships on Saturday. Sierra Nevada University’s men’s and women’s teams won the combined Alpine and Freestyle Snowboard National Championships. 552 Collegiate athletes representing 57 colleges and universities competed at the 2022 USCSA Collegiate National Championships. This included alpine, snowboard, freeski, and nordic teams which qualified through their regional championships. Events included Alpine Giant Slalom, Alpine Slalom, Dual Slalom, Nordic Sprints, Nordic Relays, Nordic Distance, Slopestyle, Skier Cross, Snowboard Cross, Rail Jam, Snowboard Slalom, and Snowboard Giant Slalom.

March 8, 2022 – The breezy weather and icy conditions was no match for Sierra Nevada University, which took home their first team Championship of the event by winning the Women’s Alpine Giant Slalom race. Rocky Mountain College and Babson College’s teams rounded out the podium, taking second and third place respectively. After the race Sierra Nevada Head Coach Mihaela Kosi said, “it was great to have all of the girls ski so consistently well. They were on top of their game, and a step closer to bringing home the team overall victory!” On the individual side, Hilde Sato from Rocky Mountain College took home the individual championship followed by Misel Marovt and Honor Clissold, both from Sierra Nevada University, taking home second and third. “I had so much fun racing today on such amazing conditions,” said Sato after her win. “Already looking forward to Thursday’s slalom race!”

“It was awesome to finally be back on snow competing in person and seeing friends old and new,” said USCSA Managing Director Meegan Moszynski. “Everyone is psyched for the rest of the week and really happy to be back in Lake Placid!”

March 9, 2022 – The men’s GS race took place on March 9th under cloudy skies. 

“We are super stoked to have such an incredible, world class venue,” said USCSA Vice President of Nordic Christi Boggs. “Not only are the new trails absolutely top notch, the infrastructure and the organization by ORDA is fantastic. We are also seeing a surge of new teams and quality racing that is truly inspiring, the competition is stronger and tougher than ever. We’re looking forward to more incredible racing as the week goes on.”

Sierra Nevada University continued their strong showing in Alpine skiing by taking home another team championship, this time in the men’s Giant Slalom. Similar to the women’s events yesterday, Rocky Mountain College and Babson College’s teams again rounded out the podium in second and third. Celebrating their second podium in two days, Babson Head Coach Joe Harty said the team was “very pleased with the results so far and it’s nice to be here representing the strong MacConnell Division. We have a good mix of veteran skiers and first timers and together they were able to put together two solid runs. Looking forward to the slalom and hoping to continue solid skiing.”

March 10, 2022 – The women’s slalom took under beautiful sunny skies on the March 10th. 

Sierra Nevada University wrapped up women’s racing on Drapers Drop with another team National Championship. Rocky Mountain College’s women took home second while Castleton University skied into third with impressive racing from their top athletes. After the win, Sierra Nevada University head coach Mihaela Kosi said that “today’s performance means we are bringing home the ladies combined title for Sierra Nevada University’s final USCSA Championship. Each of my girls had to fight hard for the win and I am very proud of them all!” 

Speaking after their third place finish, Castleton University Head Coach Chris Eder said, “our women’s team at Castleton University has dealt with a few bad breaks over the past 12 days with injuries and illnesses. These unfortunate circumstances haven’t stopped our women, as they never stopped believing in their ability. Finishing on the team podium at USCSA Nationals is special for our two senior captains Karoline Rettenbacher and Lena Soehnle, who go out with a bang. Freshman Deena Jacunski raced today as an alternate, as she filled in for an injured athlete, and finished 16th overall with bib 105.  I am so proud of all of them and the effort they brought today and the entire season. Overall, our women are just very grateful to be able to race again on USCSA and compete at the National Championships. The race crew and everyone at Whiteface, NYSEF, and the USCSA volunteers have been top notch! They need to be applauded for their efforts this week.”

March 11, 2022 – The men’s slalom took place on March 11th.

Sierra Nevada University wrapped up men’s racing on Drapers Drop with another team National Championship, giving the school a sweep of the traditional alpine events. Rocky Mountain College’s men took home second while Northern Michigan University rounded out the podium in third. After their third place finish, Northern Michigan University head coach Erik Lundteigen said, I am so proud of our team! We have had great training, and our results show this. Thanks for all you do for NMU.” 

March 14, 2022 – The U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) concluded the week of competition for its Collegiate National Championships Saturday with the men’s and women’s Dual Alpine Slalom on March 14th.

Alpine skiers competed in their first Dual Slalom since 2019 in exciting racing down Drapers Drop. Both the men’s and women’s Alpine Ski teams from Sierra Nevada University took home first place, complinting their full sweep of Alpine Ski team Championships at this year’s National Championships. The men and women from Rocky Mountain College both won second, while both men’s and women’s teams from Castleton University also won third. “The dual slalom races are always fun to watch and participate in,” said Castleton University Head Alpine Coach Chris Eder. “The head-to-head format is so exciting to watch, as anything can happen. It is the ultimate team ski racing event. We win and lose as a team. When one of our student-athletes came up short in their heat, other teammates came through to help us advance. I was so proud to see how well our women’s team and men’s team worked together  and supported each other to each earn those third place podium spots. Once again, hats off to all the volunteers, Whiteface, NYSEF, and of course, the crew from USCSA for hosting a great event; not just on Saturday, but the entire week. It takes months and countless hours to plan and pull off a week of national championship ski racing. During a pandemic, USCSA made it look easy and I’m sure it wasn’t!”

For the week, Sierra Nevada University won combined National Championships for both the men and women, while Rocky Mountain College took home second for both men and women with Babson College also taking home third for men and women. After winning their combined Championships, Sierra Nevada University Head Alpine Coach said, “I couldn’t be more proud of this group of skiers! All week they continued to show their best skiing. I am proud to be their coach, I am also thrilled for them to earn the victory of all titles at our last USCSA National Champs. Eagles have an outstanding history, and I’m happy that we departed in such a meaningful way for us!” Andreas Unhjem Smith and Misel Marovt, both from Sierra Nevada University, won the individual overall combined championships for men and women, respectively. 

Teams began their quest to qualify for the U.S. Collegiate Skiing and Snowboarding National ChampionshipsTM in their local conference competitions, held across 11 conferences spanning the nation, this January. Top teams from each conference attend one of 6 regional championships, which decide who ultimately qualifies to participate in events at the Collegiate National Championship. 

The USCSA is the sports federation for collegiate team ski racing and snowboarding in America. The USCSA believes that student-athletes of all levels and abilities should have access to quality and exciting venues of competition. USCSA athletes agree that our team orientation fosters a collaborative approach across their collegiate athletic and academic careers, and often this mentality proves indispensable in their adult lives and careers. The organization includes 184 colleges from coast to coast, fielding 5,146 male and female, alpine, freestyle, cross-country, snowboarding and nordic ski jumping athletes in over 300 events annually.

Release courtesy of USCSA

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