Carrabassett Valley, MAINE - The last time the Colby Alpine Ski Team faced collegiate competition, they were at the 2020 NCAA Championship in Bozeman, Montana. The series was halted at the halfway point due to the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. Athletes were sent home, and shortly after, campus across the country did the same. This Friday, at Sugarloaf Mountain, the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association (EISA) got back on track, and Colby's Alpine Skiers participated in their first college competition in almost two years.
Despite a rolling fog that delayed the Giant Slalom start for over an hour, the sense on the hill was incredibly positive. Athletes and coaches alike were excited to be back in action, and all held a steadfast focus on all that encompassed the experience in front of them, including the camaraderie. The Mules sat in great position after the first run, with three men and three women inside the top-30. First-year
Lydia Riddell and junior
Tucker Strauch led the way, sitting in 14th and 10th for their respective fields. Junior
Cassie Lieblein made the largest leap, starting with bib 63 and jumping all the way to 18th after the first run.
The second run saw significant shuffling, but the Mules kept the pressure on, placing three men in the top-20 while the women placed three in the top-30. Behind Strauch (14th),
Chauncey Morgan (15th), and
Patrick Coughlin (16th), the men finished in fourth place, ahead of Division I powerhouses Dartmouth and UVM. For the women, Lieblein finished 17th,
Charlotte Maurer placed 22nd, and
Rylee McCormack came in 29th, good for 9th place out of 13 teams. Riddell did not finish her second run.
Saturday's Slalom was postponed to Sunday due to high winds. The start is slated for 9:10 AM.
MEN'S RESULTS
WOMEN'S RESULTS
