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The University of Utah Athletics
1999 Skiing Season Outlook
6/21/1999 12:00 AM | Skiing
January 1, 1999
Year after year, trophy after trophy, University of Utah skiing continues to prosper. This season, just as those preceding, is a highly anticipated one for the Utes. The seven All-Americans and eight all-conference skiers returning to the team are sure to make this season memorable.
The longstanding tradition that ski director Pat Miller and his able assistants have assembled is evident in every facet of the program. The 1999 season marks Miller's 23rd year at the helm of Utah skiing. During his regime, the Utes have taken nine national titles and have never finished below third place in combined competition. Veteran assistant Kevin Sweeney and newcomers Mike Elvidge and Eli Brown will help Miller in perpetuating the winning tradition heretofore established at the University of Utah.
Nineteen ninety-eight proved to be an incredible learning year for the Utes. Utah lead a successful regular season, winning the title in two of the four meets. In the Western Regionals, the Utes defeated host Colorado by a substantial 23-point margin. After that impressive performance, the Utes entered the NCAA Championships with a No. 1 national ranking. Four days later at the end of competition, Utah fell just two-and-a-half points shy of winning it's third consecutive NCAA championship. "We had some bad luck, but we almost pulled it off," comments Miller. "To put the closeness of the finish in perspective, the two-and-a-half point difference equals out to a discrepancy of five seconds in the cross country events and less than one second on the alpine side."
Along with a new season, 1999 brings the Utes a chance to redeem last year's heartbreak. "People are fired up for this year," says Miller. "They want to finish better than second place." With 16 letterwinners returning, the taste of last year's narrow defeat is still lingering on their lips. Cross country coach Kevin Sweeney assesses, "This year more than ever, there is a driving force in our training." The motivation coming from the coaching staff as well as the skiers combines for a dangerous team ensemble. "Last year really turned out to be a tremendous learning experience that no other school will be able to comprehend," continues Sweeney. "The maturity and competition experience that we gained is a definite advantage that only we have."
The skiers are also very understanding of the omnipresent winning tradition at Utah. "They are really taking it (winning) upon themselves this year, observes Sweeney. "They want to do it for the tradition which they understand and are very much a part of. Of those 16 skiers returning from last year's team, nine skied for the Utes in 1997 when Utah won it's last NCAA championship. Miller comments, "They know what it feels like to win, and they want to recapture that feeling this year. This is definitely not a complacent group of people."
"As far as goals contingent to success, health and consistent skiing will play a big part," Miller continues. "It's going to take a lot of energy and a lot of directing of that energy to channel ourselves to win." Another factor contingent to success is team leadership. "For the majority of the team, this is going to be their last hurrah," expresses Miller. "There is a strong feeling among them to win, which disseminates to the younger skiers on the team."
Many individual skiers were honored for last year's accomplishments. On the alpine team, Ryan Forsyth, Alicia Howard, Sabrina Lawrence and Marianne Winge received All-America honors along with Patrick Casey, Frode Kollerud, Rune Kollerud, Kristin Tjelle and Hailey Wappett from the cross-country team. All-conference skiing awards were given to the nine All-Americans, as well as Elvidge, Tina Kavcic and Sandra Kuehni. Team awards were given to Kavcic, who was honored with the C.D. Reddish Memorial Award, Elvidge with the Alf Engen Sportsmanship Award, Frode Kollerud with the David Novelle Outstanding Skier Award, and both Wappett and Winge with the Toril Forland Outstanding Skier Award.
CROSS COUNTRY
All five members of last year's stellar men's team are returning in 1999. Included among them are the Kollerud brothers, who will be in their last year of competition; both won all-conference and All-America honors in 97 and 98. Despite their successful careers, they are far
from being complacent.
"There is no question in my mind that the Kollerud brothers are the team leaders," says Sweeney. "There are very high expectations for them and they know that. They want to demonstrate their abilities, and so far they are not satisfied with their careers. They are still very hungry."
Seniors Hakon Skjonberg and Jesse Lassley are also returning for their last season. "For us to be successful this year, Hakon and Jesse need to finish their careers here with the best results they've had," comments Sweeney.
Much of the weight of the future falls on the shoulders of second-year skier Pat Casey. However, Sweeney is confident in the young skier's ability and potential.
"Now that Pat Casey has gone through his initial year - which was an excellent year - he should be making a tremendous step. He needs to prepare himself to lead the men's program next year."
The women's cross country team is equally proficient.
"We have a very strong women's team this year," says Sweeney. "I expect it to be somewhat similar to the men's team I had last year, where there was a great deal of intrasquad competition. People pushed each other for what turned into very healthy team competition. I haven't had this feeling on both squads for a number of years. This should be exciting."
Returning from last year's team are seniors Wappett and Stine Hellerud, along with sophomore Kristina Joder.
"On the women's team, the two leaders without a doubt are Hailey and Stine," says Sweeney.
There are high hopes for Wappett's senior year.
"Hailey and her high level of consistency will carry her to a great season," says Sweeney. "Hopefully her college career will serve as a stepping stone to the U.S. Ski Team and World Cup skiing. Her sights are continually on the rise."
Hellerud, a 1996 All-American, missed much of last season due to illness. She is eager and working hard to get back to her sophomore form.
"Stine is coming off a very discouraging season," emphasizes Sweeney. "She has much to prove and wants to be a part of a title contending team. She can provide a lot of leadership."
Joder was part of last year's successful NCAA squad before undergoing ACL surgery during the off-season. "Rehabilitation is right on track," denotes Sweeney, "and with her ability and commitment, she has my confidence."
The Utes also welcome two new skiers to the team. Lene Pedersen and Marit Husby will provide added depth to an already solid squad.
ALPINE
With several top skiers on the alpine team in their last year of eligibility, there is a strong desire to win.
"This is their last chance to have good results," says Elvidge, who joins the Ute staff as the alpine coach this season after a successful competitive career at the U. from 1995-98.
"They want to leave the program with a good feeling. Our success is contingent upon several factors," observes Elvidge. "My main goal is that they gain confidence. Their motivation will be at its highest when they ski with the most confidence."
Elvidge also sees the team's momentum as an important factor to their success.
"Once we get going and establish a rhythm, things should progress very easily."
Britt-Cote, Forsyth and Leunig are the team's three veteran skiers. Combined with sophomore Peter Shaffer and freshman Scott Woodland, they present a dangerous alpine squad.
"Alain, Ryan and Markus all have to be team leaders," says Miller. "Sophomore Peter Shaffer and freshman Scott Woodland will also play an important part."
Elvidge also sees the exceptional potential within the team. "No one is going to take a back seat," he comments. "The younger skiers are going to present a really good challenge."
The exceptional talent of the women's team translates into high expectations from their coaches. "I want them all competing for the top four," says Elvidge. "Since there are only four women skiers, only one will not be included on the NCAA team. That will motivate them in a healthy way."
Kavcic is one of the skiers that is being counted on to perform. "Tina has got to step it up," says Miller. "She has been good for us, consistently finishing in the top 10; we need her in the top five."
Elvidge also recognizes her integral role, stressing,
"Tina is probably our number one leader on the women's team." Another senior is Kuehni. "Sandra has been exceptionally good in the slalom, and we need her to improve in the giant slalom," relates Miller. "Her energy is vital to the chemistry of our unit."
Elvidge is equally adamant about her role.
"Sandra is a strong asset for the team," he says. "She really energizes everyone in competition and in training."
One of last year's diamonds in the rough was Lawrence.
"Sabrina was an amazing asset for us as a freshman on the team last year," says Miller. "Overall at the championships, she was a very consistent alpine skier."
Utah's skiing tradition is sure to be honored once again by the 1999 squad, and the energy that emanates from the coaches and skiers is likely to foster another successful season.
"The parity is great among the nation's top five teams," assures Miller. "Competition will be tight, but the determination to win is on the side of the Utes this year."
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