By Elizabeth Karam, USSA

WINTER PARK, Colo -– Zak Watkins (Telluride, CO) and Laurel Shanley (Squaw Valley, CA) were on top wrapping up U.S. Freestyle Selections’ last day of moguls competition on Friday. Watkins and Shanley showed impressive composure to win the competition.

Watkins, a young skier who likes to go fast and big, did just that in Friday’s competition besting teammates Jeremy Cota (Carabbassett Valley, ME) and Joseph Discoe (Telluride, CO) to take the top step on the podium.

“The competition was extremely tight today,” explained U.S. Freestyle Moguls Coach Todd Schirman. “Zak Watkins set the bar high early in the finals.”

Jimmy Discoe (Ridgway, CO) and David Digravio (Farmington, ME) put together solid runs to finish fourth and fifth.

Shanley added another victory, after winning Wednesday, ahead of teammate Heidi Kloser (Vail, CO) in second. Trailing Shanley and Kloser was Alison Digravio (Farmington, ME) rounding out the podium placing third.

“We are really excited and proud of Laurel,” said Schirman. “She has proven that she is a World Cup skier and dominated the women’s event.”

The U.S. Freestyle Selections awards the top finishers, based on their results Wednesday and Friday, World Cup starts. The starts will be allotted next month in Deer Valley and Lake Placid. The World Cup starts provides the athletes an opportunity to qualify for the Olympic team. The athletes receiving the World Cup starts are Joe Discoe, Jimmy Discoe, Laurel Shanley, and Heidi Kloser.

Moguls Men’s Results

1. Zak Watkins, Telluride, CO, 24.52

2. Jeremy Cota, Carabbassett Valley, ME, 24.42

3. Joseph Discoe, Telluride, CO, 24.41

4. Jimmy Discoe, Ridgway, CO24.19

5. David Digravio, Farmington, ME, 23.98

7. Bartley Damon, Sun Valley, ID, 23.45

8. Bryan Zemba, Killington, VT, 23.40

9. Holt Haga, Boise, ID, 23.14

12 Brandon Cronin, Winter Park, CO, 21.69

13. Michael Degrandis, 20.90

14. Bradley Wilson, Taylorsville, UT, 20.88

15. Ryan Reilly, Park City, UT, 20.60

Mogul Women’s Results

1. Laurel Shanley, Squaw Valley, CA, 24.11

2. Heidi Kloser, Vail, CO, 23.53

3. Alison Digravio, Farmington, ME, 22.37

4. Sylvia Kerfoot, Canada, 22.36

5. Jillian Vogtli, Ellicottville, NY, 21.91

8. Whitney Henceroth, Dillon, CO, 21.14

9. Alyssa Lawson, Boulder, CO, 21.02

10. Lindsey Cannon, Telluride, CO, 20.88

11. Larissa Burg, Winter Park, CO, 20.53

12. Brittany Loweree, Point Lookout, NY, 19.90

13. Lane Stoltzner, Telluride, CO,19.89

14. Rebecca Miller, Park City, UT, 19.86

15. Ali Kariotis, Winter Park, CO, 12.95