(Story by RMC Athletics)
JACKSON HOLE – Rocky Mountain College placed first, second, and fourth on their way to their third giant slalom national team title in four years at the U.S. Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association’s (USCSA) National Championships.
The Battlin’ Bears finished with a total team time of 5:38.92.
Rocky’s Andraz Reich-Pogladic defended his individual giant slalom national title. The senior from Velerje, Slovenia finished his initial run in 57.35 before setting a time of 55.03 in the second run for a combined time of 1:52.38.
Reich-Pogladic secured the individual giant slalom national title in 2018 on a total time of 2:12.17. He finished in second in 2016 and 2017.
Teammate Esten Falksete finished in second on a total time of 1:52.67. His second run of 54.76 was the fastest of the event.
Sean McCormick placed in fourth on a combined time of 1:53.87.
This year’s trip to the podium equates to a return to form for Rocky Mountain College. The Battlin’ Bears secured the national giant slalom title in 2016 and 2017, but finished in third behind Clarkson University and Sierra Nevada College in 2018.
Rocky’s women defended their skier cross national title Wednesday finishing with 19 place points.
Hannah Clancy led the team with a fourth place finish in 42.85. Larissa Saarel placed in seventh on a time of 43.59. Teammate Carina Bracy finished right behind her in eighth with a time of 43.46. Rocky’s Emily Aga took 28th place after finishing in 46.55.
This is the second year in a row that the Battlin’ Bears have won the USCSA’s skier cross team title at the USCSA’s National Championships.
The USCSA National Championships continue through Saturday at Snow King Resort.
