HENNIKER, N.H. - Freshman Tommaso Sala (Villanova D'Albenla, Italy) of the NEC alpine ski team qualified for the Eastern Regional Championships to be held at Sugarloaf starting on Saturday, February 14th in Carrabassett Valley, Maine. 

While the Pilgrims didn't qualify as a team in their first season back in the MacConnell Division, Sala qualifies as the top individual within the MacConnell Division of a non-qualifying team. The freshman from Italy has earned himself an opportunity to qualify for the National Championships in Lake Placid, New York in mid-March. 

The 17-year-old had a pair of podiums at Sunday River in early January, finishing 42nd in the slalom and 44th in the giant slalom – placing in the top three in the U-18 division for each race. He is coming off his quickest run in the GS at Waterville Valley this past Sunday, finishing both runs in a combined time of 2:16.69. 

Sala will now head to Sugarloaf on Saturday for the giant slalom on day one of the Eastern Regionals, and the slalom on day two on Sunday, February 15th. 

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