University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Boston College Carnival SL
Hawkins Siblings Sweep Giant Slalom at the Boston College Carnival
February 12, 2006 | Men's Ski
Feb. 12, 2006
BROWNSVILLE, Vt. - The UMass ski team recovered from a rough start on Saturday in the slalom to post a strong showing in the giant slalom at the Boston College Carnival on Sunday, February 12 on Ascutney Mountain. In the slalom, the men's team led by junior Rush Hawkins (Shelburne, Mass.), and the women's team led by senior Lisbet Rauh (Princeton, Mass.), battled treacherous course conditions to finish third and sixth, respectively. On Sunday, Rush Hawkins and junior Eliza Hawkins (Shelburne, Mass.) both won individually, and led the Minutemen and the Minutewomen to second place overall team finishes in the giant slalom.
Saturday's slalom event was not without controversy. Approximately half of the participants, including sophomore Jason Small (Shelburne Falls, Mass.), failed to finish their runs due to the poor course conditions.
"The conditions we had to ski in were similar to the conditions the UMass football team had to play in back in October," said UMass head ski coach, Justin Rouleau, comparing the course to the McGuirk Alumni Stadium field which was torn up during game play in the October rains this past fall.
Rush Hawkins also had to deal with some interference on his run, which may have prevented him from finishing better than fifth. Hawkins could have chosen to stop and receive another attempt, but he elected to complete his run, which made it final.
Eliza Hawkins was in first after the first run in the slalom, but she was disqualified on her second run for missing a gate.
Rush Hawkins managed to return to first on Sunday in the giant slalom. He was once again closely followed by teammate Jason Small who finished second. Senior Pat Bachant (Hubbardston, Mass.), Pat Hofer, and freshman Alex Zahoruiko (North Andover, Mass.) rounded out the top five for the Minutemen.
The Minutewomen finished less than a second shy of first overall in the giant slalom. Race winner Eliza Hawkins was followed by Lisbet Rauh, and senior Erica Mains (Hudson, Mass.), who rounded out the top three on the team.
The Minutewomen will have to continue this season without senior Caitlin Doughty (Quincy, Mass.) who tore her ACL last week at the UConn Carnival Slalom.
The UMass ski teams return to action next week on Friday, February 17 for the Colby Carnival Giant Slalom at Sunapee Mountain, and the St Anslem's Carnival Slalom at Pat's Peak on Saturday, February 18.
