Sophomore Duncan Armstrong achieved a career-best second place in the men’s giant slalom as Harvard University skiing began its campaign at the NCAA Regional Championships during the Middlebury Carnival on Friday. The event took place at two venues: alpine races were held at the Middlebury Snowbowl in Hancock, Vermont, while nordic events occurred at the Rikert Outdoor Center in Ripton.
Harvard’s alpine team saw Armstrong lead with his runner-up finish, clocking a total time of 1:56.79 across two runs. Senior Luke Kearing finished 14th and first-year Tristan Leightell placed 28th, both contributing to Harvard’s fourth-place result in the men’s giant slalom team standings. On the women’s side, sophomore Skylar Sheppard was Harvard’s top finisher in the giant slalom, taking 29th place.
In nordic competition, five Crimson skiers earned top-30 finishes in their respective 7.5k classic races. Sophomore Hanna Wilsey led the women with a career-best 16th place, followed by junior Clara Lake (19th) and junior Meredith Schwartz (23rd). For the men, sophomore Bennett Hutchison placed 28th and first-year Braden Bellizzi came in 30th.
After day one of competition, Harvard stands sixth among fourteen teams in the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association (EISA) with a total of 232 points. The men’s alpine team contributed 88 points with their fourth-place showing; women’s nordic added another 75 points for their sixth-place result.
The Crimson will conclude their participation at Middlebury Carnival on Saturday with alpine athletes competing in slalom and nordic skiers racing in the 20k freestyle event.
Following this weekend’s carnival, Harvard hopes to send representatives to next month’s NCAA Championships hosted by the University of Utah from March 11-14. Alpine events are scheduled for Utah Olympic Park in Park City and nordic races will be held at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in Midway. The schedule includes giant slalom on March 11, a 7.5k classic on March 12, slalom on March 13, and a concluding 20k freestyle on March 14. Selections for championship participants will be announced by the NCAA on Wednesday, March 4.
