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Alpine Skiing 2/15/2025 3:11:00 PM

Wildcat Alpine Dominates Slalom at Regionals

MARQUETTE, Mich. - The NMU alpine ski teams had a decisive day one at Marquette Mountain for the 2025 MCSA Regional Championships, with the teams claiming 12 of the top 20 spots between the women and men in the slalom.

"We really got after it today," said head coach Erik Lundteigen. "As a qualifier for nationals, both of our women and men are looking strong and we are in a really good position heading into tomorrow."

Both the women and men won the day. The women claimed first with a combined time of 4:00.00, ahead of St. Olaf at 4:16.50 and the University of Michigan at 4:20.42. The men finished first with a combined time of 3:44.22, ahead of St. Olaf at 3:51.14 and Wisconsin Madison at 3:54.98.

The women swept the podium and had seven in the top ten, while the men claimed the top two spots and placed five in the top ten.

On the women's side, it was Reagan Olli (A) claiming gold with her combined time of 1:18.77. Olli was decisive in her runs today, posting the fastest times of both runs with results of 40.55 and 38.22.

Ainsley Kirk (A) claimed silver with her final time of 1:20.04. Similar to Olli, Kirk was only slower to Olli, posting the second-fastest run times in both the first (41.77) and second (38.27) results.

Rounding out the podium and the team scoring was Ella Wichert (A) with her time of 1:21.19. Wichert's run one result of 41.89 placed her behind teammates Olli and Kirk before posting the fourth-fastest run two time of 39.30 en route to her bronze medal finish.

NMU claimed spots four through six, with Maddy Stern (A) in fourth at 1:21.98, Marissa Witte (B) in fifth at 1:22.18, and Tommie Springer (A) in sixth at 1:22.52. Emily Creek (B) rounded out the 'Cats in the top ten in eighth with her time of 1:23.98.

Kaylee Byrne (B) and Jacey Johnson (B) finished just outside of the top ten in 11th and 12th. The full results from today can be found here.

The men claimed the top-two spots and half of the top ten, led by Reed Heathman (A) with gold and Kayan Hopke (A) with silver. These two finished neck and neck, with Heathman at 1:14.09 and Hopke at 1:14.14, just .05 seconds apart from eachother. Heathman posted the fastest first run time (35.47) and second-fastest run two time (38.62), while Hopke posted the second fastest run one time (35.55) and fastest run two time (38.59).

Rounding out the team scoring was Anthony Petkov (A) in fifth, posting a combined final of 1:15.99 after runs of 36.58 and 39.41, the seventh-fastest and fifth-fastest results among each respective runs. Directly after Petkov was teammate Connor Abraham (B) in sixth with his time of 1:16.63. Abraham posted a pair of top-10 run times, with 36.52 in the first and 40.11 in the second.

Andrew Truman (A) rounded out the 'Cats in the top ten with his time of 1:16.90. The full results from today can be found here.

The 'Cats now look ahead to the giant slalom tomorrow, carrying a large lead into the final day of regionals. First runs begin at 10:15 a.m. from Marquette Mountain.

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Players Mentioned

Connor Abraham: 6' 1"; Junior

Kaylee Byrne: 5' 3"; Junior

Emily Creek: 5' 5"; Senior

Reed Heathman: 5' 10"; Junior

Jacey Johnson: 5' 4"; Senior

Ainsley Kirk: 5' 5"; Senior

Reagan Olli: Senior

Tommie Springer: 5' 5"; Sophomore

Maddy Stern: 5' 4"; Junior

Andrew Truman: Senior

Players Mentioned

Connor Abraham
: 6' 1"; Junior

Kaylee Byrne
: 5' 3"; Junior

Emily Creek
: 5' 5"; Senior

Reed Heathman
: 5' 10"; Junior

Jacey Johnson
: 5' 4"; Senior

Ainsley Kirk
: 5' 5"; Senior

Reagan Olli
: Senior

Tommie Springer
: 5' 5"; Sophomore

Maddy Stern
: 5' 4"; Junior

Andrew Truman
: Senior