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The University of Utah Athletics
2001-2002 University Of Utah Skiing Outlook
10/16/2001 12:00 AM | Skiing
Oct. 16, 2001
The University of Utah ski team is rich in tradition. Since its inception in 1957, the program has produced 10 national championship teams, 53 NCAA individual champions, 19 Olympians and 261 All-Americans.
"The Utah ski team has established a reputation for excellence within the skiing ranks," says head coach Kevin Sweeney. "The success of the program has been unbelievable, on and off the slopes."
Since 1983, when skiing became coed under NCAA jurisdiction, Utah has won eight of 19 NCAA championships, finished as the runner-up six times and taken third place twice. No other program in the nation has yielded better results during that time period. "We have been one of the nation's top powerhouses," says Sweeney. "College skiing has been dominated by four teams: Utah, Colorado, Denver and Vermont. We are doing a great job keeping the rich tradition of Utah skiing alive."
The Utes are coming off of a 2001 campaign which finished fourth at the NCAA championships held in Middlbury, Vermont. This season, Utah is looking to improve that finish by making a run at the title. Ute skiers Petra Svet and Jernej Bukovec, both natives of Slovenia, became national downhill champions last season. Svet left her mark in collegiate skiing history by capturing the women's slalom title. In only her sophomore year, she earned All-America status and was named the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Female Collegiate Athlete Of The Year. Bukovec captured the men's slalom on his way to earning All-America honors in the slalom and giant slalom for his second-consecutive year.
Four athletes earned All-American first-team status, while five garnered second-team honors. Along with Svet and Bukovec, Pat Casey and Petter Svendsen were also selected to the All-America first-team. Bukovec and Casey were also named to the All-America second team in their counter-events, along with Jed Schuetze, Scott Woodland and Torin Koos.
The tradition of excellence for the Utah ski team extends past the slopes and into the classroom. Last year's team consisted of eight Academic All-Americans. Eight skiers made the Dean's List, while 16 student athletes made the University's honor roll. Each skier also participated in community service projects. "Community service is a big part of what the Utah ski team is about. We feel like the community has been extremely supportive and we need to give something back," says Sweeney.
For the 2002 ski team, Sweeney expects only the best. "I'm very enthusiastic about the group of athletes that we have this year. They are all at a high level. We are motivated to run for our 11th title."
This year's team consists of 16 returning athletes and nine top-notch recruits. The team is hoping for leaders to replace former All-American's Pat Casey, Sabrina Lawrence, Kristina Joder and Lene Pedersen.
Sweeney is thrilled that this year's team returns its entire coaching staff. While Sweeney heads the cross country teams, Ryan Forsyth returns as the head coach of the alpine team. He led the alpine squad to outstanding results last season. Peter Barton returns as Sweeney's assistant cross country coach and Jaka Korencan is back to assist with the alpine team. "It is significant to have continuity between all the coaches and the skiers. We have great guys on board to coach this team. We work well together and that is instrumental to our success."
Another positive for the Utes' success, is their access to some of the top training facilities in the world. The alpine team has three world-class training facilities in Park City, Deer Valley and Snowbird. The cross country team trains at the Olympic trails at Soldier Hollow, at White Pine in Park City and Solitude. "We have many excellent ski areas and resorts where we can train and race. There is no other program in the United States that compares to that," says Sweeney. "All of the local resorts have been very supportive."
With the 2002 Olympics just around the corner, the Utes will have the opportunity to ski and train on world-caliber sites. "Utah hosting the Olympics will be a great opportunity for us," says Sweeney. "It is very exciting that the world's top competitors will be here. It gives our ski program a lot of exposure."
ALPINE TEAM:
"Our team looks much stronger this year, primarily because of the added depth," says alpine coach Ryan Forsyth. "I expect the team to once again be on top of US collegiate skiing." The program lost two lettterwinners from last year's squad, but adds four highly talented freshmen. "The new freshmen bring international ski racing experience, and provide great intra-squad competition among the team. I expect us to challenge for the national title again this year," says Forsyth.
The men's team returns a lot of talent and adds two high profile recruits. Jernej Bukovec brought home the gold from the NCAA championships in 2001 and Forsyth is expecting top-notch results from the All-American. Senior Scott Woodland should step up as one of the team's leaders this season. He finished the 2001 season ranked No. 1 in the RMISA slalom. Kristian Guay, who came on strong for the Utes down the stretch of the season returns for his junior year, while senior Robb Gushiken will provide the team with depth.
After competing with the Swedish ski team last season, Pierre Olsson comes to Utah to compete at the collegiate ranks. He is expected to make an immediate impact on the team and be among one of the top competitors in the slalom and giant slalom. The team also adds Josh Whitham, who had a very successful season as a member of the US Development team last year.
Petra Svet will headline the women's alpine team this season. April Mancuso returns as a sophomore, after a successful freshman campaign. The Lake Tahoe, Calif. native skied her way to five top-five finishes last season, including a first place finish at the New Mexico Invitational. As the only senior on the women's team, Annik Boulva will provide leadership for the incoming skiers and will be a threat in the alpine events.
Forsyth believes that sophomore Danielle Bird has the capability of being one of the nations top competitors. Bird is looking for her break-out season with the Utes. Christina Babilis returns to the team as a junior after successfully competing in the Western Region's spring series.
Joining the 2002 squad are freshmen Madaleine Sparks-Krebs and Elisha Stephens. Sparks-Krebs is expected to make an immediate impact on the depth of this year's team. Stephens is recovering from knee surgery and is expected to be back on skis before January. Sweeney is ecstatic to have these two talents join the force. "We're definitely solid."
CROSS COUNTRY TEAM:
Senior Petter Svendsen is expected to captain the cross country team this season. "The way he communicates with the team and the coaches is remarkable. He had a great year last season, but he's not satisfied. He is hungry for top results and for the team to win the title." Zack Simons returns for his junior year with the Utes. Simons experienced top-level skiing at the World Junior Championships last season and has been training with the US Development team.
Also returning for the Utes are Torin Koos, Ryan Quinn and Marco Stevanoni. Koos is a fierce competitor who skied in the World Nordic Skiing Championships last season against the fastest skiers in the world. Quinn had an excellent second half of the season in 2001, scoring top-10 finishes in the final three events of the year. Stevanoni, who fought altitude adjustment throughout last season, is hoping to improve his results from last season. "He's mentally tough and a super team player," says Sweeney.
Maria Lundamo and Gretchen Domek are the only two returning skiers on the women's cross country team. Lundamo, a junior, picked up on the team concept last season and is expected to provide leadership to the women's team this season. "She is technically a great skier," says Sweeney. "I am looking for Maria to demonstrate her potential."
Domek returns to the team as a senior. "I think this will be the best skiing year with the best results that she has ever experienced," says Sweeney.
The women's cross country team had the highest turnover and brings in five newcomers this season. Jorunn Oye is an exceptional racer from Norway, who had outstanding results in the Norwegian Cup competitions. "She has great credentials and a great attitude, so naturally we have high expectations for her future at Utah," says Sweeney. Jaana Kettunen is a talented skier in both cross country disciplines and competed at the World Junior Championships and at the Finnish Junior National Championships last year with great results. Sara Svendsen joins older brother Petter on the team this season. "Sara has a great history in skiing," says Sweeney. "She brings the quality and depth we need."
Anna Sprague is an East coast recruit who has high aspirations as a ski racer. Recovering from a hamstring injury, Sweeney claims: "Anna has so much potential. I want to take the time for her to develop. It is very exciting thinking about her future career here." Jana Suchtova comes to the team from Slovakia and provides the team with talent in both techniques. She has competed in three Junior World Championships. "This experience and her enthusiasm bode well for team success," says Sweeney.
Blending an accomplished group of returning skiers, with competitive and highly talented freshmen, the Utes are a major threat for the 2002 title. "Our goal is to be on top of the podium," says Sweeney. "With the group of athletes and support staff that we have, the integrity, discipline and motivation stand out. Making a run for our 11th national championship is going to be a kick."
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