The Middlebury alpine ski team competed in the giant slalom on the first day of the NCAA Championships at Park City Mountain Resort in Park City, Utah. The men's squad had a great showing, tying for sixth in the event with 44.5 points. The Panther alpine and Nordic teams sit in fifth place out of 23 teams with 131.5 points at the midpoint of the event. Utah, the host school, leads all schools with 286.5 points, while Colorado (262 points), Denver (249 points) and the University of Vermont (235 points) round out the top-five. 
 
Bradshaw Underhill paced the way for the Panthers, finishing 11th in a field of 34 racers with a two-run time of 1:59.08. Justin Alkier was next on the men's side with a combined time of 1:59.63 to place 15th. Axel Bailey completed his two strips down the mountain in 2:00.18, good for 22nd. 
 
On the women's side, Lucia Bailey placed 14th with a combined clocking of 2:05.72. Mika-Anne Reha was next for Middlebury, finishing in 22nd place with a two-run time of 2:07.25. Sofia Yubero rounded out the squad for the Panthers, putting together a combined time of 2:10.74. 
 
NORDIC RECAP
 
The alpine team is back in action on Friday when it competes in the slalom. The men's first run is slated for 9:00 a.m. MST, with the women following at 10:00 a.m. MST. The Nordic squad is idle on Friday, before returning to race on Saturday in the final event of the championships. The men will compete in the 20K freestyle beginning at 9:30 a.m. MST, with the women following in the 15K freestyle at 11:30 a.m. MST.