Colorado Cycling Races to the Finish

BOULDER (03/13/12)– The University of Colorado Cycling team comes out on top this past weekend, winning four out of five collegiate categories.

Colorado excelled at the competition, taking the first place title in the Men’s A and B and the Women’s A and B collegiate races. The Buffs also took second place in the Men’s C collegiate race.

“The team was on fire and we all worked well together to get the wins,” said President Danny Hiller. “The team came out not only to race, but also to volunteer and help make sure everything went smoothly. It could not have gone better.”

Nearly 200 collegiate racers showed up to the competition and Colorado beat out all the competitors, giving them a huge lead in the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Cycling Conference.

The Citizens Race drew in a large crowd this year, with two races that consisted of over 100 people. Overall, 500 racers came out to compete and to support CU Cycling.

“It took a lot of hard work to put this race on, but it was worth it in the end,” said Hiller. “We made a great profit and the community loved the event.”

To view the citizens results visit http://www.coloradocycling.org/results/road#year=2012&eventId=1059&resultsetId=sum

To view the collegiate results visit http://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?year=2012&id=757&info_id=45466

Colorado Freestyle Ski Brings Home National Collegiate Championship

SUNDAY RIVER, Maine (03/13/12)– The University of Colorado Freestyle Ski team brings home the 2012 Collegiate National Championship after a week of tough competition.

“I'm very proud, and excited for everyone,” said Head Coach Palmer Hoyt. “Each of us shares in this great accomplishment, but we have a huge thanks and congratulations to give to our fearless athletes and coaches who fought to bring home the title.”

During the 2010-11 season Colorado placed second at the USCSA National Championship behind the University of Southern California.

Scott Szawlowski, Ian Simpson, Ben Hitchcock, Nick Pease, David Lilja, Lauren Ladley, William Baum and Jeremy Brown all fought for the 2012 title. The team of coaches that led the athletes to their victory is Mike Suleiman and Jon Peot.

Brown won the slopestyle competition and was announced the first team all-American individual champion.

“It was great seeing all of the different schools out there throwing down their best for the title,” said Pease. “There is always a heightened intensity when it comes to competing because you need to make sure you land a good enough run to qualify for finals, but at the same time it has to be a run you are comfortable enough with so you won't fall.”

Skiercross was the first event that Colorado competed in where the team went head-to-head with other freestyle athletes. Brown took the lead in this race, qualifying to continue on to time trials.

Colorado continued on to the slopestyle competition where they competed against Liberty University, University of Southern California, Western State and Sierra Nevada College. Brown cleaned up this event, coming in first place. Simpson trailed behind, picking up fifth and placing CU first on the point boards.

The last event of the week was the halfpipe. Each of the players excelled in this event, all qualifying for a second running, avoiding elimination. Brown placed number two in this event with Hitchcock coming in close behind at number three.

The Buffaloes picked up the most points of the week, finishing in first place winning the title of the 2012 USCA Freestyle Skiing National Champions.

“It was an amazing weekend and we finished with the title we were all hoping for,” said Lilja. “It was the best way I could think of to finish my senior season.”

CU Men’s Lacrosse Gains Confidence Against Chapman University

ORANGE, Calif. (03/11/12) – The University of Colorado’s Men’s Lacrosse team played against the Chapman University Panthers on March 9 for their season opener. The young team had a rough preseason, but went into the game with a lot of confidence and heart, despite the 9-6 loss.

In the first quarter, the Buffs were slow to score with Chapman scoring three goals. Ending the period with a score of 3-0, the slow start to the game didn’t stop Colorado from showing off their skills.

“In the beginning we didn’t quite come out altogether. It kicked in second quarter, everyone was playing together and offense gained some confidence, made a few goals and tied up the game,” said sophomore midfielder Hayden McClain. “We played hard all the way through, but couldn’t quite finish with a win.”

The second period started off with another goal from Chapman. The freshmen took the initiative and helped CU to make an impressive comeback. With 9:35 remaining, freshman Harrison Mallon hit the back of the net, scoring a point for Colorado. The goal created momentum, with Rowen Sloss adding to the scoreboard with 6:19 left in the stanza. Chapman was able to pick up another goal in the last 4:32 of the quarter. CU then ended the second period with three more goals. The first two were from freshmen Riley Kulm and Jace Gan, with the last by junior Matt White. Those goals tied up the game bringing the score to 5-5 at the end of the first half.

The game against Chapman allowed for Kulm to show the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association the potential of the younger Buff players.

“I think we proved a lot, not only to ourselves, but also to the rest of MCLA. With a rough preseason, a lot of people thought we were going to get killed by Chapman, but we gave them a really good game. It was 5-5 at half time and we showed a lot of heart out on the field so I was happy with that,” said Kulm. “I’m looking for us to get our first win for the season against Loyola Marymount on Sunday. We need to learn how to win and get in the habit of winning by scoring more goals and the offense gaining more possession.”

Chapman scored two goals in the beginning of the third quarter and CU answered back with another goal by Kulm, assisted by Alex Puldy. Chapman had another goal with 38 seconds remaining, ending the period 8-6.

The Buffs kept up the fight in the fourth quarter with two unfinished shots by White. Chapman ended the game with a goal in the final minute ending the contest 9-6.

Despite the loss, one of the team captains Ryan Emerson, was impressed from the turnout of the game.

“I thought we looked really good in the second quarter. It was definitely a big change from last weekend, which was exciting to see where we can be at. It slowed down in the second half because of penalties. If we could have eliminated penalties, I feel the game would have had a different result,” said Emerson. “This game just showed us we have confidence and that we can play at this level without a problem. When it comes down to it we’ll be able to beat teams later in the game as long as we can stay away from the little things.”

For more about the CU men’s lacrosse team and the coaches, please visit www.culax.org or www.redhotbuffs.com.

CU Gears Up for the Start of the Regular Season in California

BOULDER, Colo. (03/8/12) – To mark the beginning of the regular season the University of Colorado men’s lacrosse team will travel to Orange, Calif., to play against Chapman University and Loyola Marymount University. 

The Buffaloes have a history of one win and two losses against the Chapman Panthers. Last year’s game was at Folsom Field and ended with a close score of 12-13. CU’s team is hopeful this weekend’s game will be a victory and tie up the record against the Panthers.  CU played the Loyola Lions in 2010 and lost with a score of 6-8. Colorado and Loyola obtain a joined record of two wins and two losses. CU is confident they will win and break that record this weekend.  

“I'm really looking forward to the California trip and playing our first away game against a top ten team where we can make a statement, gain some wins, and put some tough games under our belts, in order to set the precedent for the rest of the season,” said senior midfielder Thomas Appel. “Although we lost the preseason scrimmages, we learned a lot about what we need to focus on and how to execute it better. We’re in really good shape and when we put it all together Friday night, it will be fun to see what happens.”

After three heartbreaking losses in this year’s preseason, the men are eager to show off their skills and bring home a victory for CU. 

“I am expecting we will bounce back from a mediocre preseason and carry out the hard work we've had in practice into our games this weekend,” said Captain Ryan Emerson. “I’m hoping we will come home with a couple of quality wins.”

Expectations are high and CU’s team members are holding each other accountable.    

            

“I intend to play my best this weekend and do everything I can to help my team win,” said goaltender Brad Macnee. “I expect that everyone else will do the same.”

With a skillful team and strong coaching staff, the Buffs are more than prepared to take on Chapman and Loyola this weekend. 

Play will begin on Friday at 7 p.m. against Chapman and will continue on to Sunday at 1 p.m. against Loyola. Both games will be played in Pacific Standard Time. 

For more information about the CU men’s lacrosse team and the coaches, please visit www.culax.org or www.redhotbuffs.com.

Colorado Swim Hosts 2012 Buff Invitational

BOULDER (03/8/12) – The University of Colorado Swimming and Dive Club prepare to host the University of Nebraska Lincoln, Metro State University and Colorado State University in the Buff Invitational this weekend.

This meet will be the first hosted home meet that the Buffs have held in years. The results will not count toward national rankings, but will be used to help train the teams for their upcoming trip to nationals.

"We're very excited to be hosting our first home meet in the team's recent history. With our culminating meet, East Coast Championships in Atlanta, Georgia, quickly approaching, the Buff Invitational 2012 will be a good opportunity for us to gauge where our strengths are at,” said Alex Mitoma. “We're really excited to have CSU, Metro, and especially UNL travel and take the time to compete with us. We've been training really hard, and I think this meet will be a good test before the final stage of our season."

Colorado competed against Nebraska at the 2011 Mutual of Omaha Invite where the women ranked third overall in the meet, with the men’s team leading in first.

The Buffs have recently encountered Metro State and CSU this past January in the Colorado College Classic, where they beat out the competition.

The meet will be a two-day encounter with three sessions. The preliminary session will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, followed by the finals session at 5:30 p.m. Sunday will conclude the competition, with timed finals beginning at 11 a.m.

---swimdivecolorado.org---

Buffs Ride for Trip to Nationals

BOULDER (03/6/12) - The University of Colorado Cycling team is hosting a race to fundraise for their trip to nationals this Spring as part of the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Cycling Conference.

The race will be held on Sunday, March 11^th at the Stazio soft ball fields over at Valmont and Butte Mill Road.

This race is anticipated to draw attention from other nearby schools who have partnered up with Colorado to compete in the event. The race will consist of some of the best riders in the state and therefore will be sure to consist of a high level of competitive action.

“We’re expecting a huge turnout at the event,” said Head Coach Frank Overton. “We’re anticipating that schools such as Fort Lewis, CSU and Mesa State will bring out their riders to compete on Sunday.”

Colorado is hosting a series of collegiate categories, but will also be incorporating citizen categories into the afternoon. The categories will consist of seasoned professionals and beginners.

The course that the cycling event will be raced on is an historic course that has been raced on by the current Tour de France champion, Cadel Evans. The course is 1.17 miles long and is highlighted by a gradual stair-step like climb of 62 feet, followed by a long 400 meter drag race to the finish. The maximum elevation that the racers will reach is 5,269 feet.

“The Stazio course is one that has been in the Boulder cycling community since the mid 90’s,” said Overton. “CU hasn’t raced on the course for four years now, but the team has been training and working hard for this competition.”

The women’s category will start off the day at 8 a.m., followed by the juniors and men’s categories. The last race of the day will begin at 4:40 p.m. succeeding the presentation of awards.

Online registration will be open until March 9^th at 2 p.m.

To view the schedule and more information on how to register for the event visit: http://www.usacycling.org/events/getflyer.php?permit=2012-757

Buffs Get Ready to Ram Weekend Competition

BOULDER (03/1/12) - The University of Colorado men’s rugby team prepares to take on in-state rival Colorado State University for their first league game of the Division 1 season.

The Buffs have met up with CSU twice in the past and in both meetings have taken down the competition.

“CSU is always a tough opponent and this is a big rivalry so we expect them to come out hard and ready to play,” said Lance King. “As a team we have put in a lot of work in the off season and preseason and feel if we go out and play CU rugby we should have a successful weekend.”

This will be the senior’s last chance to compete against the Rams and hope to end their college rugby careers with a win.

"This match will set the tone for the year for us. Playing in the stadium, in front of our fans and alumni is a great opportunity for the boys to prove they are a contender for the Western Conference crown." said Head Coach Jim Snyder. "It's going to be a heck of a ballgame."

The contest will be held in Glendale, Colo. at Infinity Park on Saturday. The A team will take the field at 1:30 p.m. and the B team will finish off the day at 4 p.m.

Tickets to the game are $6 and can be purchased online at http://www.glendalerugby.com/tickets-and-travel