Former Pioneer standout captured 2001 10K Classical National Championship
June 26, 2006
DENVER – The University of Denver has promoted Wolf Wallendorf to its head Nordic Ski Coach, Director of Athletics and Recreation Peg Bradley-Doppes announced today. The former University of Denver athlete has served the last three seasons as assistant Nordic Coach at DU and replaces Knut Nystad.
“I'm pleased to announce the promotion of Wolf to head Nordic coach,” Bradley-Doppes said. “He is a proven winner and is very knowledgeable about what it takes to make the DU ski program a perennial national contender. I look forward to the partnership between Wolf and our new head Alpine coach Andy LeRoy.”
A native of Schonau, Germany, Wallendorf returned to the University of Denver in 2004 after a stellar skiing career that ended in 2002. Wallendorf was a key factor in DU's three-year reign as national champions from 2000-02. He was an integral part of the historic 1-2-3 sweep of both races at the 2000 NCAA Championships in Utah, where he finished third in the freestyle event and second in the classical race. In 2001, Wallendorf won the 10K classical in Middlebury, Vt., helping the Pioneers to a 1-2-3 sweep for the second consecutive season. In 2002, he finished third in the classical and 11th in the freestyle, helping the Pioneers to a third consecutive national championship.
“I am very happy and excited to take the reigns from my former mentors and coaches Knut Nystad and Kurt Smitz,” Wallendorf said. “I will give my best to continue the great tradition of Pioneer skiing.”
Wallendorf has spent the last three seasons as a Nordic assistant coach, helping the Pioneers to their 18th NCAA Championship in 2005 as Rene Reisshauer (Erfurt, Germany) won both legs of the nordic races. Last season, the Pioneers finished fourth and in 2004, DU was third.
Source: DU press release
