by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
The UNM ski team is not where it needs to be yet, but a solid performance at its home meet could help boost the team the rest of the season.
The Lobos earned a third-place finish at this weekend's New Mexico Invitational, sweeping the slalom events in the process.
UNM finished just five points behind defending national champion Colorado.
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The team had a good weekend but isn't satisfied with third place, said UNM head coach George Brooks during a phone interview.
"This weekend at Taos was the best we've skied this season," he said. "Our goal still is to win, so we're a little disappointed. But we skied much better, and we've been improving each week."
The Lobos closed in on Colorado on Saturday, falling short with 480 points, while the Buffaloes scored 485. Denver won the invitational with 592.25 points.
Senior Lars Loseth got UNM off to a good start Friday, winning the men's giant slalom to record his second win of the season. Fellow senior Tor Fodnesbergene won the men's slalom on Saturday, and freshman Malin Hemmingsson earned a victory in the women's slalom.
Along with the individual slalom wins, the UNM women were victorious in the team slalom competition. The Lobos' previous best finish in the team event was third at Utah.
Brooks said the win can give the women's team a boost in future events.
"That was a real big breakthrough," he said.
The women's Nordic team won its event Friday for its first win of the season. Freshman Polina Ermoshina led the Lobos in the team event by finishing second overall.
The men's cross country team is the one area UNM needs to improve, Brooks said.
"At the NCAA's, you have to have all four ski well," he said. "We still are one group short right now of where we really need to be."
Still, it was important for the Lobos to do well at home, and the skiers came through, Brooks said.
"Skiing well at Taos on the Alpine side means a lot," he said. "I think that makes it special that we were able to be successful on our
home hill."
The Lobos travel to the NCAA West Regional on Feb. 23 in Reno, Nev., followed by the NCAA Championships in Jackson, N.H., starting March 8.
The UNM skiers are starting to gel, which is important heading into the two most important meets of the season, Brooks said.
"I think we're definitely molding as a team," he said. "Athletes are learning to depend on one another better. When that happens, people relax a little more and ski better. I think our best is yet to come."
Skiing at NCAA West Regionals
Feb. 23
Reno, Nev.
