Gunning stoked, Taylor satisfied with half-pipe victories

CALGARY, Alberta, March 22, 2008 – Megan Gunning of Calgary and Andrew Taylor of Red Deer emerged as half-pipe champions in national freestyle ski championship action Saturday afternoon.

“I’ve had higher-scoring days, but I thought I had a really good day,” said first-time national senior champion Gunning, 15. “I had some really good 5s and 7s and switch 5s,” she said, in reference to her 540- and 720-manouvres.

“I was really stoked to do well, and it was close. All the girls were killing it today,” added Gunning, whose 11-year-old sister, Shannon, also held her own. She placed fourth in 22.5.

Gunning scored 29.5 points for the win, while the silver medal went to Jenny Higgins of Whistler, B.C., in 28.2. Karin Corcorcan of Calgary was third in 23.6.

Taylor, 18, followed up his victory at the 2007 junior nationals with his first senior nationals title. With temperatures dropping for the intended night final, organizers moved the event into the afternoon and spring-like conditions.

“I had a run in my mind and I got it solid in training,” said Taylor, who nailed down the win with back-to-back 900s in the middle of his best run. “I’ve had a rough competition season, so I’m pretty happy right now,” admitted Taylor. “It’s a pretty good title to get.”

Taylor also kept the men’s national half-pipe title in Red Deer. Matthew Hayward of Red Deer had won the last three half-pipe titles, but wasn’t competing due to injury. In clinching the men’s World Cup overall half-pipe title earlier this month, Hayward suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Italy.

Noah Bowman of Calgary scored 42.0 for the silver medal, while Rob Heule’s 40.3 gave him the bronze.

posted March 23, 2008