Vermont climbs into first place

BOZEMAN, Mont. — Strong performances by Vermont’s men’s and women’s alpine teams propelled the Catamounts into first place at the NCAA championships on Thursday afternoon. Day two of action featured the Giant Slalom races.

Kate Ryley was the national runner-up in the women’s G.S. with a two-run total of 1:42:21. Her second run of 49.67 was the second-best among the competitors.

Harvard’s Rebecca Nadler won the G.S. race with a time of 1:41.83 and Geordie Lonza of Williams placed third (1:42.49) to give the EISA skiers a sweep of the podium.

Elli Terwiel placed fifth in her NCAA debut with a time of 1:42.89 and Kristina Riis-Johannessen was 22nd for the Catamounts. Riis-Johannessen led the field after the first run, but fell on the second run and hiked to finish out the race.

Ryley earned her third consecutive spot on the All-America first-team and was joined by Terwiel.

Although the eastern schools took the podium in the women’s race, the western schools swept the podium in the men’s competition.

Adam Zika of Colorado won the men’s G.S. with a time of 1:31.80 and was followed by Utah’s Ryan Wilson (1:32.87) and Nick Cohee (1:32.99).

All three Catamounts placed in the top 10. Tim Kelley led Vermont with a fourth-place finish and time of 1:33:04. Bobby Farrell and Jonathan Nordbotten tied for seventh place, both skiers finished with a time of 1:33.49.

Kelley earned a spot on the All-America first team, while Farrell and Nordbotten garnered second-team All-America honors.