You might see it as a missed development opportunity that the U.S. is the only country not to send its very fastest college athletes to the World University Games (we'll explain why). But the Univerisity of Wyoming, races their hearts out, and also uses the opportunity for more than skiing: expanding athletes' horizons, learning, and instilling a lifelong love of sport.
Twice each fall, the University of Alaska Anchorage's nordic and alpine teams converge on their favorite sandbox for a sufferfest of sand-dune sprinting. "The family that plays together stays together and the ski team that suffers together can win together," Kastning explains of their larger NCAA goals.
Jason Lemieux was happy living in Oregon. But he took what he considered the opportunity of a lifetime and came East to coach his alma mater, Williams College. Traditions remain in place but Lemieux has added variety to the Williams program, which he hopes will help the Ephs rise to new heights.
James Upham had a good run in Sochi: his Paralympic skiers won three medals - the first by U.S. women in 20 years - and before that at the Olympics Susan Dunklee, a college skier he had recruited to be a biathlete, turned in the best performance ever by a U.S. woman. Now he's returning to his home of Maine as an assistant coach at Bates College.
When Nicole De Yong stepped down from the UAA coaching staff, head coach Andrew Kastning wanted to hire another woman - but female coaches aren't easy to come by. Luckily, 2010 and 2014 Olympian Sara Studebaker had just moved to town. "I’m really excited to be here," she told FasterSkier.
Grethe Lise-Hagensen served as Montana State University’s Head Nordic Coach from 2003 to 2014. During her decade as head coach, Hagensen brought the team from a state of near non-existence to ranking third in the nation. In May of 2014, Hagensen’s contract was not renewed by the university’s administration. FasterSkier sat down with Hagensen in July to talk about her time at the helm of the MSU program and the accomplishments she achieved during her ten years as head coach.
Montana State University announced Friday that Kristina Trygstad-Saari will become the school's nordic ski team head coach starting in August. This is the second job announcement in recent months for Trygstad-Saari as she was reported to be the Elite/Post-Graduate Team Coach of the Bridger Ski Foundation in May. She has since resigned from the position.
An idea from Williams' associate athletic director came to life with the help of one of the college's skiers: Will Wicherski. By 2016, Williams could be hosting its Carnival on a homologated 5-kilometer loop at Prospect Mountain in Woodford, Vt.
At the 2014 NCAA Championships, Kyle Bratrud was the first American in the 15 k classic. The result was the highlight of his college career to date. However, the skier is much more than his results suggest and the Minnesota native's relationship with the sport shows that several strong influences from his coaches have helped him get where he is today.
Ben Lustgarten had a modest start in nordic skiing, but his future in the sport is anything but. Despite a senior year at Middlebury College that was fraught with injuries, the emerging star is ready to excel in the world of professional skiing.
Ben Saxton and Paddy Caldwell were two new names on the 2014/2015 U.S. Ski Team nominations released last Friday. Both with Stratton ties, the two were asked to join the D-team, an unfunded development squad back after a one-year hiatus.
Current and former members of the Gustavus Adolphus ski team - which has a strong tradition of D-III excellence, having qualified a full team of three women to the 2008 NCAA Championships - were shocked when the team's varsity status was removed last week. They don't believe there is a compelling social or financial reason for the cuts, and say that without a ski team, they wouldn't have picked Gustavus.
The Wednesday Workout is back with featured contributor Aku Nikander sharing some of his secrets to success while skiing for the University of New Mexico.
Gustavus Adolphus College shocked current skiers and alumni alike, announcing the end of cross-country skiing as a varsity sport. The team will compete as a club for the 2015 season.
The University of Denver won the 2014 NCAA Championships for the 22nd time this past weekend in Park City, Utah. Check out photos of the event taken by Bert Boyer, so you can relive the exciting collegiate action!
The 2014 NCAAs are over and Denver has claimed its 22nd title. In a warm and sunny day at Soldier Hollow, the Europeans ruled again in the exciting mass start races with only one American making the podium. Read more to find out how the action unfolded.
UVM's Anja Gruber defended her title in the women's 5 k classic at the NCAA Championships in Soldier Hollow, Utah, today. She was followed by DU's Sylvia Nordskar and UNM's Eva Severrus.
“It’s almost cheating, having that good of skis,” Rune Ødegård of the University of Colorado joked after winning the men’s 10 k individual classic at the NCAA Championships Thursday. The junior from Molde, Norway, defended his 2013 10 k classic title in spectacular form, with a time of 24:34.5.
One-hundred and forty-eight. That's the number of skiers who have descended upon the ski town of Park City, Utah to participate in the 2014 NCAA Championships. The four day event, which consists of two alpine and two nordic races, begins Wednesday and continues through Saturday. Check out our preview, so you know who to watch and what to look for as the event gets underway tomorrow.
EISA Regional Championships took place on Friday and Saturday as part of the Middlebury Carnival. Hometown hero Ben Lustgarten and stalwart Dartmouth racer Annie Hart picked up wins on Friday. Paddy Caldwell, Scott Patterson and the UVM women put on a show during Saturday's mass start events.