Don't Miss... Middlebury Winter Carnival What to Watch in Middlebury Sports

Author: David Lindholm

Once again the time has come for the Middlebury Winter Carnival, an entire weekend of campus-wide events surrounding the final race for the ski teams prior to their appearances at the NCAA Championships. The campus festivities start Thursday night with fireworks at 7:00 PM, but the Middlebury skiers are hoping to open some eyes when their display begins on Friday morning. All alpine events will be at the Middlebury College Snow Bowl, and Nordic competitions will be at the Rikert Ski Touring Center. The events will be running all day on Friday and Saturday, and a full schedule is listed below.
In terms of team results, both the Nordic and alpine squads have had identical seasons. One might even say the five carnivals have been an up-and-down experience, since the teams have alternated between fourth place and third place finishes since coming in fourth at St. Lawrence University back on Jan. 18-19. The teams will be hoping for at least a third place finish this weekend on the home courses in front of the home fans.
On the men's side of the alpine team, John Rusten '05, David Coriell '06 and Eric Rygg '03 have been consistently at the top of the pack for the Panthers, and Rusten will be looking to recapture his early-season form in time for the NCAA Championships. For the women, Laura Scripture '04, Jess Smith '05 and Molly Russell '05 have been hot lately, but also juniors Nina Porcelli and Brie Pike-Sprenger are capable of great finishes.
For the Nordic team, juniors Kate Newick and Kate Whitcomb will battle at the top of the pack for the Panthers, as well as Diana Johnson '05 and Claire Anderson '06 having had strong finishes this season. A strong men's team will be led, as usual, by Garrott Kuzzy '06 and Colin Rodgers '04.
This weekend is the one time this year that the Middlebury campus will be able to get out and watch the ski teams in action. With action both on the slopes and long cross country course, fans will have plenty to watch this weekend. Doubtless everybody on the teams will be expecting some of their best results of the season in front of the hometown crowds.