The Middlebury alpine team opened the NCAA Championships with the slalom on Wednesday. Originally slated for Friday, the committee switched disciplines and started earlier in the day in hopes of avoiding a bulk of the bad weather. As forecasted, the conditions deteriorated significantly throughout the day, leading to progressively slower times on the course.
 
Colorado sits at the top of the standings after the first day of action, claiming both events for a total of 148 points. Denver sits second with 107 points, while Utah and the University of Vermont are tied for third with 87 points. The Panthers are in ninth place with 52 points, claiming 34 on the men's side. 
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• Leading off wearing bib #1, Bradshaw Underhill recorded the second-fastest time on the first trip down the mountain (41.66 seconds). The Panther finished sixth overall with a combined clocking of 1:28.43 to earn All-American Second Team honors. 
• Making his NCAA debut, Nicholas Unkovskoy completed his two trips down the mountain in 1:29.35 to place 24th. The rookie had the 14th-fastest first-run clocking of 42.89 seconds. 
• On the women's side, Mika-Anne Reha finished 17th with a two-trip time of 1:34.95. The Panther had the 11th-quickest clocking on the second run, stopping the clock in 48.60 seconds.
• Rounding out the day one competitors was Sophia Tozzi with a 27th-place finish (1:36.78). Her second run was the 15th best at a clip of 48.89 seconds 

NOTES

• The program is making its 65th appearance on the national stage, having competed at the event every year since 1967.

The nordic squad begins competition on Thursday at the Oak Hill Outdoor Center with the women's 7.5K classical individual start at 10:00 a.m. Alpine is back in action on Friday with the giant slalom (GS) starting at 9:00 a.m.