SALT LAKE CITY – The Westminster Snowboard teams showcased their talents at the 2024 U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) National Championships in Lake Placid, New York. This annual championship event draws top collegiate skiers and snowboarders from across the nation to compete in Alpine, Freeski, Nordic and Snowboard disciplines. This comes as Westminster expands its mountain sports opportunities including the addition of a Varsity Freeski Team beginning Fall 2024.
The Griffins Women's Snowboard Team secured an impressive overall second-place finish in the snowboard freestyle competition, placing second in rail jam and slopestyle, and third in boarder cross.
Senior Addie Gardner dominated the field, by clinching the individual Freestyle Championship winning all three disciplines (boarder cross, rail jam, and slopestyle). This outstanding feat earned her the title of Women's Freestyle Combined National Champion. Sophomore Etta Sklar had a strong showing, finishing fifth in the Freestyle Combined. In the Alpine combined races, Gardner finished 10th and Sklar finished 25th, showcasing their versatility and skill across different disciplines.
"Addie's story is an incredible one, after experiencing a serious injury 4 years ago," said program director Sara Beaudry-Wiltse. "This past week was her first competition back in 4 years. She won first place in all 3 events, giving her the best possible score overall. It was a wonderful comeback story, and the emotions were high as the week progressed."
The men were impressive as well, finishing third in the freestyle combined. Sophomore Anthony Turco led the Griffins finishing second overall in the freestyle combined posting second place finishes in slopestyle and rail jam and seventh in boarder cross. Fellow sophomore, Max Duffy, performed well, finishing sixth overall. In the alpine combined races, Duffy and Turco tied for 17 out of a field of 51, and 12 overall in the team standings.
Program director Beaudry-Wiltse added, "Overall, these results are particularly impressive because the scoring is based on a team of 3, and due to injuries and illness we only had 2 competitors for both men and women. Our athletes did a phenomenal job."
Announcing Varsity Freeski Team at Westminster University
Westminster University is launching a Varsity Freeski Team to accompany the existing Varsity Snowboard Team. Proximity to the Wasatch Range’s ski areas allows a unique opportunity for Westminster student-athletes to train, ski/ride and remain focused on their academic pursuits. Sara Beaudry-Wiltse has been named as the new Director of Freeski and Snowboard at Westminster University. “The wins at the USCSA Ski and Snowboard National Championships, the elevation of Sara Beaudry-Wiltse's role and the expansion of our program with a Varsity Freeski team highlights Westminster University’s commitment to building our winter and mountain sports,” says Shay Wyatt, Director of Athletics, Westminster University Griffins.
Westminster University is currently recruiting to fill the rosters for the Men’s and Women’s Freeski and Snowboard Teams. If interested, please email sbeaudry@westminsteru.edu.
Sara Beaudry-Wiltse
