GIRDWOOD, ALASKA – University of Alaska Anchorage skier Leon Nikic stood at the top of the podium today after winning the giant slalom at the NCAA West Regional.

Nikic sat in ninth place after the first run before ripping the second-fastest second run to finish on top with a final time of 1:34.59, 0.40 seconds ahead of Jeremie Lagier of Westminster who finished second.

Nikic is the first Seawolf skier to claim an NCAA West Regional Title since Sean Alexander won the giant slalom in 2016. The podium finish is the second for Nikic who finished third in yesterday's giant slalom.

"Amazing day for Leon," said head coach Sparky Anderson. "NCAA Regional Giant Slalom Champion. It's his career best NCAA and career best FIS result. And to do it at home in front of our fans is icing on the cake.  It's a championship race so the rest of our team was putting it all on the line. When you take more risks, you often suffer more mistakes. Today was no exception. Hunter, Ella, Ainsley, and Liv gave it all they got, but went out.  Solid day for Ash in 11th. We'll move into slalom tomorrow and keep taking our shots. But so fun to crown a Seawolf champion at home!"

Ashleigh Alexander led the UAA women placing 11^th (1:43.43).

Alyssa Hill finished 19^th (1:45.62), and Carmen Nielssen was 22^nd (1:47.39).

Other finishes for the men included Jan Ronner 27^th (1:37.01), Caeden Carruthers 31^st (1:38.67), Moro Bamber 34^th (1:39.19), William Cashmore 37^th (1:40.10) and Hunter Eid 39^th (1:41.18).

Sara Rask of Denver won the women's race in 1:40.63.

UAA is currently fifth of eight teams with 114 points.

The Seawolves will compete in the slalom races at Alyeska Thursday.