CU's Ketterer, DU's Huebner Win Slalom Races, Buffs Lead MSU Invitational

Monday, January 9, 2017 • by Brooke Frederickson, RMISA

BIG SKY, Mont.—Colorado’s David Ketterer and Denver’s Monica Huebner won the slalom races to close out the alpine portion of the Montana State Invitational on Monday afternoon.

Colorado took the team lead as the alpine portion is now complete. The Buffs compiled 334 points and lead Denver by 26 points (308) while Utah sits third (286.5), host Montana State is fourth (270.5) and associate member Westminster is fifth with 270.5 points.

It was the first career race win for newcomer Ketterer in the men’s race. Montana State’s Garret Driller had a season-best finish, placing second. Denver dominated the top 10 as Nick Santaniello earned his first podium of the season with a third-place run, followed by Alex Leever in fourth, Sebastian Brigovic in sixth and Tanner Farrow in seventh. The Pioneers tallied a race-high 92 points. New Mexico’s Vegard Busengdal (fifth), Utah’s Endre Bjertness (eighth) and Montana State’s Morten Bakke (ninth) all finished in the top 10 for the second-straight day while Westminster’s Tim Lindgren in 10th rounded out the top finishers.

For the women, Huebner earned her sixth career win in the slalom. Westminster’s Ann-Kathrin Breuning finished second after winning the previous two races. Colorado’s Tonje Trulsrud picked up her third podium of the weekend with a third-place finish with teammate Nora Christensen finishing fourth. A pair of Utah skiers finished fifth and sixth, Julie Mohagen and Roni Remme before Denver skiers took the next four spots in the top 10 – Tuva Norbye in seventh, Kristine Aasberg and Andrea Komsic tied for eighth and Storm Klomhaus placed 10th. Denver had a race-high 88 points, just edging out Colorado (87).

The RMISA skiers return to action beginning on Thursday, Jan. 12, as Utah hosts the alpine portion of the Utah Invitational, beginning with the women’s giant slalom on Thursday, Jan. 12. The Nordic teams head to the Montana State Invitational with the freestyle races starting on Saturday, Jan. 14.