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The University of Utah Athletics
Gov. Mike Leavitt Declares Ute Ski Team Day
4/24/2003 12:00 AM | Skiing
April 24, 2003
SALT LAKE CITY - University of Utah President Bernie Machen and Governor Mike Leavitt proclaimed Tuesday (April 22, 2003) as Ute Ski Team Day, after the team won its 11th National Championship. An honorary banquet was held at the Alumni House where the official proclamation was issued to Head Coach Kevin Sweeney.
The banquet also honored the accomplishments of the Ute squad for their superb effort throughout the 2003 ski season, including 10 All-American awards. Skiers Rowena Bright, Jernej Bukovec, Barbro Hatlevik, Lina Johansson, Pierre Olsson, Ryan Quinn, Katrin Smigun, Sara Svendsen, Petra Svet and Ben Thornhill were all first-team All-American honorees.
The awards continued as 10 skiers received all-RMISA honors. Bukovec, Johansson, Jess Kiesel, Olsson, Quinn, Zack Simons, Smigun, Svendsen, Svet and Thornhill were all awarded the all-conference honors.
The C.D. Reddish Memorial Award was issued to Svet and Bukovec. This award is given to the graduating senior or upper classman who contributed the most to the team, not only in results, but with respect to community relations and promoting the sport as a diplomatic ambassador.
The David Novelle Outstanding Skier Award is awarded to the male athlete who has been one of the most influential factors to the success of our team with outstanding results through the entire competitive season. This prestigious honor was given to both Olsson and Simons.
Junior Smigun was issued the Toril Forland Outstanding Skier Award. This honor is given to the female athlete who has been an important factor to the success and accomplishments of the Women's Ski Team programs.
Senior Quinn was honored with the Alf Engen Sportsmanship Award, which is given to the outstanding junior or senior athlete who has best demonstrated the most "inspirational" qualities. The award takes into consideration outstanding competitive achievement as well as noteworthy leadership and sportsmanship.
Senior Torin Koos was honored for competing in the World Nordic Ski Championships and U-23 Championships. Sophomore Bright was recognized for participating in the Alpine World Ski Championships and skiers Bukovec, Olsson and Svet were honored for competing in the World University Games.
Utah's impressive array of accomplishments continued well beyond the slopes and into the classroom, as 12 athletes were selected as Academic All-Americans. This prestigious award was given to Tony Bozzio, Bukovec, Anders Hansson, Barbro Hatlevik, Johansson, Koos, April Mancuso, Simons, Anna Sprague, Elisha Stephens, Svet and Kjersti Veum.
Sophomore Sprague garnered a 4.0 GPA during the 2002 fall semester. The Utes had eight student-athletes on the Dean's List and 17 honor roll athletes in the 2002 fall semester.
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