University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Colby Carnival GS
UMass Ski Teams Finish Strong in New Hampshire
February 19, 2006 | Men's Ski
Feb. 19, 2006
HENNIKER, N.H. - In the final races of the regular season, Junior Eliza Hawkins (Shelburne, Mass.) led the women's ski team to a win with a second place finish, while sophomore Jason Small (Shelburne Falls, Mass.) also finished second to lead the men's team to a second place finish at the Colby-Sawyer Carnival Giant Slalom on Friday, February 17 on Sunapee Mountain. Hawkins and Small led the way again at the St. Anslem's Carnival Slalom on Saturday, February 18 on Pat's Peak. The Minutewomen placed third, while the Minutemen posted another second place finish. Eliza Hawkins finished the regular season in first overall individually in the conference standings. The Minutewomen finished second, and the Minutemen finished third in the team standings.
The Minutewomen had an impressive total of four skiers finish in the top ten of the giant slalom on Friday. Eliza Hawkins, who finished second in 1:18.51, was followed by senior Shaleighne Collins (North Reading, Mass.) in sixth (1:20.20), senior Lisbet Rauh (Princeton, Mass.) in eighth (1:20.29), and senior Erica Mains (Hudson, Mass.) in tenth (1:20.52).
In the men's giant slalom, the UMass duo of Jason Small and junior Rush Hawkins (Shelburne, Mass.) finished second in 1:13.68 and third in 1:13.79, respectively. Senior Pat Bachant (Hubbardston, Mass.) joined them in the top ten with an eighth place finish in 1:15.02. Freshman Alex Zahoruiko (North Andover, Mass.) finished in 22nd (1:17.34), and Patrick Hofer finished in 25th (1:17.99) to round out the top five for UMass.
The Minutemen managed to finish second in the slalom without placing a skier in the top five, and without Rush Hawkins, who did not finish his second run. However, none of the top five skiers for UMass finished worse than 15th. Jason Small led the way in sixth (1:31.87), and he was followed by Patrick Hofer in tenth (1:35.03), Alex Zahoruiko in 12th (1:35.63), Pat Bachant in 14th (1:36.35), and sophomore James Green (North Andover, Mass.) in 15th (1:36.88).
The Minutewomen slipped down to third in the slalom. The top three for UMass were Eliza Hawkins, who finished second in 1:37.75, Lisbet Rauh, who finished tenth in 1:42.49, and Shaleighne Collins, who finished 15th in 1:45.98.
The postseason for the UMass ski team begins next weekend. On Friday, February 24, Rush Hawkins, Jason Small, and Pat Bachant from the men's team, and Eliza Hawkins, Lisbet Rauh, and Shaleighne Collins from the women's team, will compete in the NCAA Slalom Finals in Middlebury, Vt.. The team will then compete in the ECSC Conference Finals on Saturday February 25, and Sunday February 26 in Waterville Valley, N.H..
