You reached this page through the archive. Click here to return to the archive.

Note: This article is over a year old and information contained in it may no longer be accurate. Please use the contact information in the lower-left corner to verify any information in this article.

Ole Alpine Win at Region

David Starrs
February 13, 2001

The St. Olaf Alpine Ski Team furthered its quest for a national title by sweeping the Lake Superior Divisional Championships over the weekend. Despite bitter cold temperatures and icy snow conditions both the men and women's team captured first place by a large margin.

On Saturday co-captains Joachim Rasmussen (02) and Josh Kinzer (02) led the pack in slalom by taking the top two spots. Ben Belyea (03) placed fourth, and Nate Gruys (04) provided a twelfth place result. The success continued on Sunday in Giant Slalom as Joachim Rasmussen placed first, while Josh Kinzer and Ben Belyea placed third and sixth respectively. The men's team has had a very strong season and is training hard for nationals. The ladies team finished strong both days as well. Co-captains Emily Nelson(01) and Sarah Nelson (02) took first and second in both the slalom and giant slalom. Erica Iverson contributed a twelfth place finish in slalom, and a seventh place in giant slalom. Auda Hatchner (02) also skied well and finished with a fifth place result in Sunday's race. With this win, the ladies will carry their momentum to the Midwest Region national qualifier in Marquette, Michigan.

Both the ladies and guys are heavily favored to win the national qualifier, but they will be without crucial fan support that was provided by the St. Olaf Nordic Ski Team this past weekend. The upcoming regional race will be a good test for both teams, but the focus still remains on domination at nationals. the bitter cold temperatures and icy snow conditions both the men and women's team captured first place by a large margin. On Saturday co-captains Joachim Rasmussen (02) and Josh Kinzer (02) led the pack in slalom by taking the top two spots. Ben Belyea (03) placed fourth, and Nate Gruys (04) provided a twelfth place result. The success continued on Sunday in Giant Slalom as Joachim Rasmussen placed first, while Josh Kinzer and Ben Belyea placed third and sixth respectively. The men's team has had a very strong season and is training hard for nationals. The ladies team finished strong both days as well. Co-captains Emily Nelson(01) and Sarah Nelson (02) took first and second in both the slalom and giant slalom. Erica Iverson contributed a twelfth place finish in slalom, and a seventh place in giant slalom. Auda Hatchner (02) also skied well and finished with a fifth place result in Sunday's race. With this win, the ladies will carry their momentum to the Midwest Region national qualifier in Marquette, Michigan.

Both the ladies and guys are heavily favored to win the national qualifier, but they will be without crucial fan support that was provided by the St. Olaf Nordic Ski Team this past weekend. The upcoming regional race will be a good test for both teams, but the focus still remains on domination at nationals.

Contact Kurt Anderson at 507-786-3315 or anderk@stolaf.edu.