Barbara Lawlor, Nederland.  The Panthers were Kings of the Mountain last Thursday when the Nederland Middle Level boys’ alpine team held up the championship trophy. After a day of four runs for each race, two giant slaloms in the morning and two slaloms in the afternoon, awards were presented on the Eldora Mountain Resort West Wing deck.

The top 15 skiers received individual ribbons with the top three being given the bronze, silver and gold medals. Panther Savanah Jordan won first place overall in the girls’ slalom race and third place in the giant slalom.

Stefan Haug won first place in the giant slalom and second place in the slalom and Miles Rucker took first place for the boys’ in the slalom.

When the boys’ claimed the trophy for first place, the Ned team gathered round the coach, held up the gleaming skier and cheered for a long time.

The boys’ took first place overall, several of them said they wished they had done better.

It was a mostly calm day up on the slopes even though the wind was howling down in Nederland. Temperatures were mild and one of the gatekeepers said it was a perfect day to stand on the side of the mountain.

Coach Seth Waldman said he couldn’t be prouder of the team: “Our racers worked hard on their slalom and giant slalom skills this season; the demanding schedule of practices and races meant they had to double down on all their academic requirements as well; racers demonstrated a high degree of responsibility to both the school and the team. We are proud of all their accomplishments and growth in this racing season.”

These middle level students are the future of Nederland’s alpine ski team and if this year is any indication, they will remain at the top of the Colorado ski list.

Individual places and times:

Girls’ Giant Slalom

3. Savanah Jordan, 1:20.39

7. Lily Waldman, 1: 25.18

12. Elise Harless, 1:33.07

14. Trinity LeBlanc, 1:34.67

22. Lucy Schalz, 1:43.89

25. Elise Brodsky, 1:50.08

27. Bree Johnson, 1:50.98

29. Sophie Waldman, 1:51.04

Boys’ Giant Slalom

1. Stefan Haug, 1:23.13

4. Paul Masters, 1:26.80

9. Kai Parker, 1:30.57

11. Townes Bakke, 1:30.62

15. Lucien Juilland, 1:32.44

17. Aric Olson, 1:34.27

23. Mason Dube, 1:45.45

24. James Simmons, 1:45.62

25. Miles Rucker, 1:45.79

26. Glen Kress, 1:45.97

Girls’ Slalom

1. Savanah Jordan, 1:29.24

8. Lily Waldman, 1:50.29

9. Trinity LeBlanc, 1:57.39

13. Elise Harless, 1:58.95

18. Lucy Schalz, 2:04.13

22. Bree Johnson, 2:10.33

23. Sophie Waldman,2:15.56

25. Ana Serdinsky, 2:17.59

27. Ella Mueller, 2:18 58

Boys’ Slalom

1. Miles Rucker, 1:26.67

2. Stefan Haug, 1:28.80

9. Lucien Juilland, 1:42.70

14. Kai Parker, 1:46.78

17. Aric Olson, 1:38.54

23. Glen Kress, 2:10.95

35. Mason Dube, 2:41.17