University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
USCSA Nationals Women's GS
Eliza Hawkins Finishes Third In Giant Slalom At USCSA Nationals
March 08, 2007 | Women's Ski
March 8, 2007
WINTER PARK, Colo. - Junior Eliza Hawkins opened up racing at the USCSA Nationals on Wednesday by finishing third in the Giant Slalom. After her first run, she stood in fourth place. Despite a stumble on her second run, Hawkins was able to get back into the race, finishing third nationally. She looks to win her second consecutive USCSA Individual National Championship on Friday when she participates in the Slalom.
Hawkins started off strong in her first run, finishing with a time of 1:05.01. In fourth place, she looked to improve her standing in run two.
A major stumble represented her second run. But Head Coach Skip Fox described her recovery as "unbelievable". She pulled together to finish strong, improving to third place overall. As Hawkins described, a negative quickly turned into a positive. "It actually seemed better than winning because everybody was so impressed by the move. There were so many ruts that I fell on my hip and my back. I slid down and somehow got up and didn't have a problem getting back into the course, and still finished with a decent time." She finished her second run with a time of 1:06.85. Her overall time was 2:11.86.
The conditions in Colorado proved a challenge to the skiers. As Hawkins said, "Mixing with high altitudes, we were lightheaded, dehydrated, our legs fatigued. It was tough."
Hawkins now looks ahead to the Giant Slalom on Friday. When asked what she will be expecting on Friday, she answered with cautious optimism. "It's tough to say. I haven't really trained for slalom in five weeks because of the concussion and traveling. Hopefully, it'll be solid. I'm looking at top five."
Check back to www.umassathletics.com for complete results and recaps of Hawkins' quest for a national title along with results from the men's side.
