Photo by: Jacob Rokeach

Growing up in what is considered by many to be one of the top Nordic skiing countries in the world, it seemed inevitable that Pioneer senior John Stene would begin at a young age.

“I am from Norway, and there most people do Nordic skiing,” said Stene, a native of Trondheim, Norway. “My parents were really into it, and they just brought me out [skiing] every weekend. I’ve always been skiing, and I love it.”

Stene began skiing when he could barely walk, and his love and competitive passion for the sport grew quickly from there.

“I have been Nordic skiing my whole life,” Stene said. “I started competing when I was like 10 or 12 years old, not very serious at all, but it became more serious after I became 15 or 16.”

From a young age, Stene had dreams of making it big in the Nordic skiing world, as he watched Norwegian legends bring glory to his country and inspire him to do the same.

“Of course Bjorn Barley, who won several Olympic gold medals, was someone I looked up to,” Stene said. “Also, a guy named Thomas Almstrom. He was really good too, actually was the Olympic gold medalist in [the Salt Lake Olympics]. So, he has been one of my big idols.”

It would seem obvious that growing up in a country of such rich tradition in the sport, Stene would begin the pursuit of his own glory at a very young age.

Once Stene began competing, he quickly made a name for himself as a very talented prospect. Stene competed in the 2000 Norwegian Cup in the 10 km skate event, finishing second overall. Then, as a member of the prestigious Norwegian ski team, Byasen IL, Stene took part in the 2004 Norwegian Championships in both the 30 km and Nordic relay events.

Despite his early success, it was clear to Stene that it would be very difficult to try to make it as a professional or Olympic skier in his highly competitive home country.

“I found out that I really wanted to have an education,” Stene said. “I was focusing on just cross country skiing for many years, and, in Norway, it is really, really hard to get through the eye of the needle.”

Then came the opportunity to join the Pioneers in the fall of 2005, a chance that Stene said he could not pass up.

“When this opportunity came, I just had to say yes. This school had a great reputation, and I haven’t regretted it one second,” said Stene of his decision to come across the world to the Mile High City for the 2004-2005 school year.

Stene’s impact on the already stellar Pioneer ski team was immediate and exceptional.

In his very first race with the Pioneers, Stene took home the individual classical title in the Utah Invitational and finished fourth in the freestyle event. This would prove to be a sign of things to come in Stene’s DU career.

In that first season, Stene finished within the top ten in nine out of the 12 races he competed in, while appearing in all six of the Pioneers’ scheduled invitationals.

The highlight of his rookie season with DU came at the 2005 NCAA Championships, in which the Pioneers dominated, taking home the team championship. Stene earned an impressive second-place finish in the classical event and sixth in the freestyle, earning All-America honors.

Though the transition between living in Norway and dominating in U.S. collegiate skiing may have seemed easy when one looks at Stene’s impressive credentials, there were many adjustments that Stene was forced to make during his first year at DU.

“It’s a big culture difference when everything is in English,” said Stene of adjusting to life in the US. “Also, it is a different lifestyle. Norway is pretty influenced by the Western culture and the U.S., so I don’t think it was as bad as other people may have it.”

Stene said that in Norway he was taught English at a young age in school, which made the transition a bit easier, though at times it could still be difficult.

Although he experienced his difficulties adjusting to life in the United States, it certainly didn’t impact his production in skiing.

In his second year on the Pioneer squad, Stene improved on his stellar rookie season by never finshing out of the top 10 in any race he competed in. He finished in the top five six times, including three individual wins.

At the 2006 NCAA Championships, Stene one-upped his performance from the prior year by taking home the individual classical championship while helping the Pioneer Nordic squad to a first place finish. Stene once again earned All-America honors.

Though many would say that they could foresee the success that he would have in the US, Stene still seems overwhelmed by his victories.

“My expectations were only to always improve as a skier,” said Stene of his mindset before joining the Pioneers. “My first season I didn’t know what the level of skiing was going to be. After my first season, because I got second [in the NCAA], the natural progression is to try to be first the second year. I think that it has been above my expectations when I look back and see the results now.”

This season, the Pioneers have started slowly, by their standards, with third and second place finishes in their first two events. But, after two straight invitational victories, the Pioneers look to be heading into next weeks NCAA West Regionals with a great deal of confidence.

“We just need to keep it together and ski as well as we have the last two weeks to get to the NCAA [Championships] and win, which is realistic for us, absolutely realistic,” said Stene.

Though only in his junior year of eligibility, the 24-year old Stene will be graduating this spring with a degree in finance. Stene is currently looking at using his final year eligibility to work toward an MBA next year.

Stene has become very comfortable living in the U.S. and feels that he would like to remain here for a few more years before returning to his native Norway.

“It would be great to get work experience working in the U.S., and after I do that, I would like to go back to Norway,” said Stene of his future plans. “A lot of people say that though, and they end up staying here for a long time.”

Stene and the rest of the Pioneer ski team will be in action at the NCAA West Regional in Sugar Bowl, Calif. The event starts Friday.