The ski team is in Winter Park, Colo., this week to take on the nation's best teams at the USCSA National Championships. After tying for first at last weekend's Eastern Regional Championships with divisional powerhouses Colby-Sawyer College and Boston College, Brown is peaking at the right time. Last year, the Bears finished fifth at Nationals. This year, it is possible that the Bears will match that performance - or improve upon it.
Brown's chances hinge on the performance of captain Kelly O'Hear '07. After a sluggish start to her final season, O'Hear dominated in the latter stages of the regular season. She blew away the competition at Regionals, winning both the slalom and giant slalom. O'Hear distanced herself from her next competitor by a second and a half in the slalom, and she was an All-American after finishing sixth in the giant slalom at Nationals last year.
Though O'Hear has had an incredible season, the Bears have received contributions from numerous skiers. Sophie Elgort '08 and Anna Bengtson '09 should figure into the scoring mix at some point this week.
Elgort barely missed All-American status at last year's Nationals, finishing just out of the top 15 at an impressive 17th overall. Elgort came through at Regionals, placing third for the Bears in the slalom and second in the GS.
Bengtson has had a breakout season after struggling with injuries in previous years and has consistently scored for the team this year. She served as the Bears' final scorer in the GS at Regionals.
Rookie Elisa Handbury '10 has also proven a capable fourth skier, finishing sixth overall at Regionals in the slalom and second for Brown. Classmates Mallory Taub '08 and Meaghan Casey '08 will provide valuable depth. In a sport where just one fall can virtually eliminate a team from contention for a title, Brown's depth will supply added security in case of an accident.
The giant slalom will be held on Thursday and the slalom on Saturday this week.
