Lake Placid, N.Y. - The EISA Regional Championships hosted by Saint Lawrence kicked off on Friday with the GS portion of the event. The Mules got to race on the hill the day before with the makeup of the Saint Michael's GS. The surface was fantastic for the second day of the doubleheader, with a grippy layer on top that turned to hard snow early in both runs.
Cold temperatures were prevalent yet again, and high winds that appeared as mainly a tailwind made speeds higher and temperatures even colder. As everyone tried to warm their feet, the women's first run got underway.
Lydia Riddell, hot off her third-place finish in the previous day's GS, was gunning for the podium's top step. She finished the first run in 6th but, still well in touch with the leaders.
Molly Mueller also sat in touch in 9th, and
Ella Spear, despite battling back pain, finished in 19th.
The men struggled on the first run with a straight set and a deep field. They placed three guys just outside the flip 30, led by
Patrick Coughlin.
With little to lose, both Mueller and Riddell came out the gate gunning. Both have factored in almost all GS races this season, delivering career-best performances against the very best in the east. Today, it would not work out for Mueller, a mistake on the bottom half of the course put her well off the pace. Riddell attempting to surpass her results from the previous day, was able to move up to fifth, which was still an impressive result.
A very good second run from
Cassie Lieblein, where she shook off the butterflies that have haunted her of late, landed her in 16th. The third scorer came from Mueller in 25th.
It was not to be for the Colby men today who, despite battling, struggled to move up from their first run position. Still,
Tucker Strauch was able to hold on for 31st,
Cam Owens sat in 39th, and
Topher Davenport landed in 44th.
The Mules will get one more crack at it tomorrow with the Slalom portion of the event. It is increasingly likely that the Mules will likely qualify at least three for NCAA Championships back at Whiteface in two weeks. Today's results solidified
Chauncey Morgan, Riddells, and Spear's position on the GS board.
Cassie Lieblein will look to lock up her spot on Saturday in the Slalom.
WOMEN'S RESULTS (PDF)
MEN'S RESULTS (PDF)
