WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- The Whitman College women's ski teams wrapped up their sixth consecutive 4-way national title Saturday as the U.S. Collegiate Snowsport Association championships concluded at Loon Mountain and Bretton Woods in New Hampshire.
The Whitman men's teams, however, fell just a little short in their quest for a sixth straight 4-way title.With several freshmen getting their first taste of national competition, the Missionary men placed second to St. Olaf College. The 4-way titles are based on combined results from two alpine events and two cross country events.
"It was great to see our women come through the way they did," Whitman ski coach Tom Olson said. "The scoring really wasn't close in their 4-way competition."
The men's teams came up short in large part due to relative inexperience, Olson said. "You have to remember that we had one senior, one sophomore and three freshmen competing for the men's alpine team, and that we had one senior and five freshmen competing for the men's cross country team."
"You can't win them all," Olson added. "You have to grow from it, though, and all of the freshmen on the men's alpine and cross country teams will definitely do that."
The women's cross country relay team capped a big week by placing second in Saturday's relay event. The Missionary women had claimed a national title earlier in the week in winning the cross country classic event and placing second in the freestyle.
Led by Calon Russell (McCall ID, McCall-Donnelly HS), the men's cross country team also placed second in its relay race Saturday. Earlier in the week, Russell had placed second in the freestyle race and fourth in the classic race.
The women's alpine team, with Eva Cardova (Banska Bystrica, Slovakia/Gould Academy, Bethel ME) and Shana Sweitzer (Hood River OR, Mountain View HS/Bend) posting strong efforts in the slalom and giant slalom, placed second to mighty Sierra Nevada College. Earlier in the winter, the alpine team completed its second straight undefeated season in the Northwest Collegiate Ski Conference and later captured a Western Region title.
Doug Whitfield (Manhattan Beach CA, Scots School/Sydney, Australia), one of three freshmen competing for the men's alpine team, placed fifth and eighth in his two events at nationals, battling a field dominated by European World Cup skiers. The Whitman men also won conference and regional titles earlier in the winter, with freshman Arne Backstrom (Seattle WA, Highline HS/Burien WA) winning both races at the regional championships.
Whitman athletes also made a successful national debut in the snowboarding events earlier this week. Ater the Missionary women placed second in their snowboard giant slalom, the men's team won the boardercross event with Rob Spooner (Salem OR, South Salem HS) also capturing the individual title in that event.
Several Whitman skiers received Academic All-American awards at the close of the national championships. They included Dana Wong (Vancouver BC, York House School), Heidi Shelton (Ketchum ID, Wood River HS/Hailey ID) and Matt Johanson (Harris MN, North Branch HS) of the alpine teams.
Academic All-Americans on the cross country teams were Megan Corazza (Homer AK, Homer HS) and Dan Cadol (Jackson WY / Jackson Hole HS).
Academic All-Americans on the snowboard teams were Lusana Schutz (Mount Vernon WA, Mount Vernon HS), Ben Boynton (Pasadena CA, Midland School/Los Olivos CA) and Spruce Shoenemann (Pawlet VT, Long Trail School/Dorset VT).
CONTACT:
Dave Holden, Whitman Sports Information, (509) 527-5902