(above) John Buchar led DU, winning NCAA individual titles in both the slalom and giant slalom From: Denver Post
by Nick Grove
More DU coverage and individual results
Meet wrap-up article
The continuing rivalry between Denver and Colorado in the world of collegiate skiing got a big push in one direction Saturday after the Pioneers won their 19th NCAA championship at Bridger Bowl near Bozeman, Mont.
Denver's John Buchar dominated the men's alpine events, sweeping the slalom and giant slalom to lead the Pioneers to top honors in the team standings. Denver's 649.5 points topped Colorado at 619 and Utah at 585. Defending champion Dartmouth was fourth at 546 and Middlebury finished fifth at 529.
"I could not be more proud of this team," Denver alpine coach Andy LeRoy said. "All of our athletes worked hard all year toward the goal of winning an NCAA championship, and they all skied their best when it counted."
Since the NCAA sanctioned skiing in 1954, Denver and Colorado have combined for 35 titles. The two schools have finished 1-2 in 12 championship meets, and CU's only runner-up finishes have been behind DU. Colorado owns 16 national championships.
"I think this was a good championship and now that it's over, I'm happy with a second-place finish," CU coach Richard Rokos said. "DU did a great job all week and they delivered, and I have to congratulate them."
The Pioneers, one skier short of a full 12-person squad, became the second team to win the title short-handed. The Buffs also accomplished the feat in 2006.
Buchar's slalom run Saturday of 1 minute, 42.10 seconds edged teammate Seppi Stiegler at 1:42.85. Buchar, who also won Friday's giant slalom, became the second DU skier to sweep the slalom events after Adam Cole did it last year.
"The only thing that mattered for me was that we won as a team," Buchar said. "That is even better than both of my wins."
Colorado's Lucie Zikova won Saturday's women's slalom in 1:27.09, beating Utah's Eva Huckova at 1:27.31. It was Zikova's third career NCAA title.
"I was a little nervous on the first run," Zikova said, "so I didn't ski as fast as I probably could have. And on the second run I really had nothing to lose. I just went all out and it worked out."
But Colorado couldn't hold on to its lead after Friday's third day. Denver rallied for its fifth championship since 2000.
Denver's John Buchar dominated the men's alpine events, sweeping the slalom and giant slalom to lead the Pioneers to top honors in the team standings. Denver's 649.5 points topped Colorado at 619 and Utah at 585. Defending champion Dartmouth was fourth at 546 and Middlebury finished fifth at 529.
"I could not be more proud of this team," Denver alpine coach Andy LeRoy said. "All of our athletes worked hard all year toward the goal of winning an NCAA championship, and they all skied their best when it counted."
Since the NCAA sanctioned skiing in 1954, Denver and Colorado have combined for 35 titles. The two schools have finished 1-2 in 12 championship meets, and CU's only runner-up finishes have been behind DU. Colorado owns 16 national championships.
"I think this was a good championship and now that it's over, I'm happy with a second-place finish," CU coach Richard Rokos said. "DU did a great job all week and they delivered, and I have to congratulate them."
The Pioneers, one skier short of a full 12-person squad, became the second team to win the title short-handed. The Buffs also accomplished the feat in 2006.
Buchar's slalom run Saturday of 1 minute, 42.10 seconds edged teammate Seppi Stiegler at 1:42.85. Buchar, who also won Friday's giant slalom, became the second DU skier to sweep the slalom events after Adam Cole did it last year.
"The only thing that mattered for me was that we won as a team," Buchar said. "That is even better than both of my wins."
Colorado's Lucie Zikova won Saturday's women's slalom in 1:27.09, beating Utah's Eva Huckova at 1:27.31. It was Zikova's third career NCAA title.
"I was a little nervous on the first run," Zikova said, "so I didn't ski as fast as I probably could have. And on the second run I really had nothing to lose. I just went all out and it worked out."
But Colorado couldn't hold on to its lead after Friday's third day. Denver rallied for its fifth championship since 2000.
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