Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Members of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Freestyle Team started the 2000-2001 season with a strong outing at the Winter Park Championship Mogul Event this past Saturday and Sunday.
Emiko Torito, a U.S. Freestyle Team mogul skier, earned first place at the female championships Saturday.
The skiers completed a 215-meter World Cup course.
The Winter Park championships were a warm-up for the U.S. Team Selection Event, which occurs Dec. 11 through 20 in Snowbird, Utah.
Wendy Allen, Winter Sports Club freestyle program director, said she was encouraged by her team's performance. On Saturday, Lauren Crawford came in second for the women and Willy Boyle placed sixth for the men. Chad and Ryan St. Onge also placed in the top 10.
"It was a really nice course," Crawford said. "It was really firm and the landings were real hard. The competition was pretty good, too."
On Sunday, U.S. Freestyle Team mogul skier Andrea Barry came in second and Erica Damon collected fifth place. Crawford, Emily Heller and Gina and Carly Gmeiner were all top-10 finishers. For the men, Ryan St. Onge took eighth place and Logan Belz came in ninth. St. Onge also is on the U.S. Freestyle Team.
Allen was impressed by the results of her team, she said.
"Not only are these kids traveling to these competitions, but they've got huge homework loads as well," Allen said. "I'm impressed with not only their talent, but their discipline as well."
Crawford, who is 17, was excited that so many of her teammates placed highly at the competition, she said.
"A lot of Steamboat skiers did well," Crawford said. "A lot of kids who haven't been in championship moguls very long ended up with good results."

To reach Eric Rineer call 871-4229 or e-mail erineer@amigo.net