April 14-Mt. Bachelor, Oregon: Will Gottsch took the move-up award in the final Northwest Cup race of the year finishing 3rd for the 1998 U16 men. His time of 1:30.44 was good for 13th amongst all U16's and 40th overall. Michael Estrella led the SSRA men with a 7th amongst U16's (33rd overall) and a 1:26.19 after difficulty in his first run. Adrian Markewych was 42nd (4th amongst 1st year U16's/14th overall U16's) in 1:32.59 while Kyle Luiten was 52nd overall in 1:44.61 good for 10th in his year of birth and 21st amongst U16's. The men's race was led by Austin Dean (MRST) in 1:14.91, followed by Miles Sweek (MRST) in 1:14.98 and Keith McNabb (CMAC) in 1:16.23. The SSRA women were again led by Elyse Burandt with a 7th place overall finish giving her a bronze medal finish amongst U16's in 2:12.68. Berkeley Guenzel was 21st (8th for 1st years/12 for U16's) in 2:21.57 with Rianne Ellingwood 23rd (10 for 1998's/14th for U16's) and Briley Thompson in 34th (17th for 1st years and 22nd overall for U16's) after challenges in her second run. The race was won by Anna Mounsey (TAS) in 2:05.89, folllowed by Karina Schwartznau (CMAC) in 2:07.59 and Kyla Miller (SVST) in 2:08.38.

Elyse Burandt Michael Estrella Connor Peck

April 13- Mt. Bachelor, Oregon- Elyse Burandt took bronze in the ladies slalom at the Mt. Bachelor Northwest Cup Finals on Saturday. Burandt was the top U16 in the race with a time of 1:28.95. U18's Anna Mounsey (TAS) and Karina Schwartznau (CMAC) led with gold and silver performances of 1:24.76 and 1:28.29, respectively. Rianne Ellingwood took 8th for 1st year U16's (14th U16 and 28th overall) in 1:42.79. Berkeley Guenzel (1:46.12) was 11th for 1998's (17th U16/32nd overall) while Briley Thompson (1:51.40) was 12th for 1st year U16's (19th U16/35th overall). Michael Estrella took second for the U16 men with a 10th place overall finish in 2:03.50 with the podium filled by Austin Dean (MRST) in 1:59.10, Cai Yamamoto (MRST) with a 1:59.95, and Keith McNabb (CMAC) in 2:01.33. Connor Peck turned coaches heads with a 3rd for 1998's (15th for U16's/37th overall) stopping time at 2:14.18. Just behind was SSRA's Adrian Markewych in 39th (4th for 1st year U16's/16th for U16's) in 2:14.89, Will Gottsch in 41st (6th for 1998's/18th for u16's) and Kyle Luiten in 53rd (12th for 1st year U16's and 28th for U16's) in 2:33.30. "It is pretty amazing to hear coaches talking about this U16 team. Elyse and Michael have been dominant all season long, along with Nic Dixon whois out with an injury. But the first year U16's are really making an impact as well. Connor Peck crushed his first run today and had all of the coaches asking about him. It seems like it is a different first year U16 turning heads each race. This group will realize some incredible success of their own over the next few years,"-Chuck Holcomb, SSRA Head Coach.