LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – Sophomore Merumo Ishimaru posted a top-20 finish to lead the St. Olaf College women's alpine skiing to 12th place in the giant slalom to open the U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) National Championships on Tuesday at Whiteface Mountain.

In her first appearance at the USCSA National Championships, Ishimaru finished 19th with a time of 2:18.04 over her two runs to finish just outside the All-America positions (top 15). Her 19th-place finish was fueled by the 17th-fastest first run of the day (1:07.32).

Senior Sheridan Westphal and first year Kate Young were separated by just over half a second, as Westphal was 53rd (2:32.71) and Young was 55th (2:32.39). The pair accounted for St. Olaf's second and third counting times, as the Oles placed 12th with a combined time of 7:22.14.

First year Lexi Jorgensen and junior Rachel Tanner also completed both of their runs for the Oles, finishing 60th (2:35.39) and 75th (2:44.20), respectively.

The alpine competition at the USCSA National Championships continues on Wednesday, March 9 with the men's giant slalom before the women return to the slopes with the slalom event on Thursday, March 10.