So far, it's been an uphill climb for coach Chris Hendrickson and his Westminster College ski team, which is now competing with the big boys, including the University of Utah, in men's and women's alpine ski competitions.

In two meets, the Griffin men have two seventh-place finishes out of seven teams, while the women have a seventh and sixth. There have been bright moments, though, including a second in women's slalom at the Montana State Invitational. Sandy Tschofen finished third.

Earlier this year, Westminster was accepted as an associate member of the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association (RMISA), the official association for college and university NCAA ski teams in the Rocky Mountain region. For a school that boasted 14 members of the U.S. Winter Olympic Team, the jump in competition is significant.

"The RMISA will offer our alpine skiing student-athletes a very positive experience and allow us to further showcase our institution and the world-class skiing opportunities surrounding Salt Lake City," said Westminster athletic director Shay Wyatt.

Being an NAIA school, however, the Griffins are not eligible for the NCAA Championships and will not receive NCAA qualification points. The team will receive result points and be listed on the results list. However, the Griffins are not eligible for team or individual RMISA awards.

The conference is made up of seven NCAA Division I schools and another from Division II. Westminster is the first NAIA school and joins Alaska-Anchorage, Colorado, Denver, Montana State, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

"We are excited about this opportunity and the level of competition the RMISA offers us," Hendrickson said.

Former T-Bird signs with Mariners

Keli'i Zablan, a pitcher for Southern Utah between 2006-2009, has signed a minor league contract to play for the Seattle Mariners. Zablan was signed following an invite-only tryout held at the Mariners' spring training complex in Peoria, Ariz.

Playing last summer for the Independent League River City Rascals, Zablan was named the Frontier League's Rookie of the Year after posting a 2-1 record with a 3.15 ERA in 28 appearances.

U. women's tennis team nets two wins

The University of Utah women's tennis team picked up a couple of wins Monday against No. 22 Arkansas on the final day of the University of Virginia Winter Invitational in Charlottesville, Va.

Freshman Sarah Pham topped Stephanie Roy 4-6, 6-2, 10-2 in Flight B singles. In Flight B doubles, Pham teamed up with junior Missy Harris to beat Roy and Emily Carbone 9-8 (5).

The Utes' home opener is Sunday at 11 a.m. MST against No. 23 Washington.

martyr@sltrib.com