Stevens Pass, WA
(March 29, 2009) The Pacific Northwest Ski Association (PNSA) wrapped up the season for J3 competitors this weekend at Stevens Pass, WA. The J3 Finale was the final 3-day weekend of racing for PNSA's J3 athletes (ages 13 & 14), and Mt. Hood Academy's racers continued to surpass the other teams in the Northwest.
At the Finale, the Academy boys were impressive, with Austin Dean (1st in Super-G, 2nd in Giant Slalom and 2nd in Slalom), Stephan Splitstoser (2nd in Super-G, 8th in Giant Slalom and 4th in Slalom), Andrew Burton (7th in Slalom), and Marc Lodmell (12 in Slalom).
MHA girls were just as impressive in the top 15. In Friday's Super-G race Ali Gunesch finished 2nd, Haley Hanseler finished 3rd, and Kendra Ash finished 11th. And in the Giant Slalom and Slalom races Haley and Ali continued to score points among the top 15 (1st and 7th for Haley, and 3rd and 4th for Ali).
When PNSA's J3 chairman, Tom Pulver, announced the overall athlete and team standings for the entire season, Mt. Hood Academy finished on top! And the whole team climbed to the top of the podium! MHA athletes Erin Murphy, Izzie Raitt, Eloise Loen, Nick Lanker and Davis Keeney joined Ali, Haley, Kendra, Austin, Stephan, Andrew and Marc for the team title. Here are PNSA's J3 winners for the 2009 competition season from Mt. Hood Academy:
1st Place – Men Austin Dean
3rd Place – Women Ali Gunesch
4th Place – Women Haley Hanseler
5th Place – Men Stephan Splitstoser
1st Place – Men's Team MHA
1st Place – Women's Team MHA
1st Place – Overall PNSA J3 Team MHA
These honors came just one week after the Western Region J3 Olympics in McCall, ID., where Ali, Haley, Austin, Andrew and Stephan all earned top 15 results.
MHA - Best in the West