DU’s nationally-renowned ski team is looking to reclaim its NCAA collegiate title during the upcoming 2016 season after in-state rival, University of Colorado-Boulder, took it home last season. DU currently holds the NCAA record for most national titles with 22, while CU is closely approaching with 20.
Following the release of the 2016 Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association (RMISA) schedule, the Pioneers are thrilled to hit the slopes.
“The 2016 RMISA schedule looks like a dream come true,” said Head Alpine Coach, Andy LeRoy. Competition for the alpine skiers is set to begin on Jan. 4 on the familiar grounds of Park City, Utah where the Pios won their last national title in 2014.
The alpine team is stacked this season with returning National Women’s Alpine Skier of the Year, Monica Huebner (Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany), National Men’s Alpine Skier of the Year, Sebastian Brigovic (Rijeka, Croatia) and first-year recruits Tuva Norbye (Oslo, Norway) and Kristine Aasber (Baerum, Norway), to name a few.
Aasber was the World University’s super-g and giant slalom champion from last year and turned down her national team’s nomination in order to ski for the Pioneers.
“We expect big things from her [Aasber],” said LeRoy.
The Nordic ski team returns with skiers who helped Denver secure its 22nd national title in 2014.
“The 2016 RMISA schedule will suit us well,” said Nordic head coach David Stewart.
The nordic team includes Sylvia Nordskar (Baerum, Norway) and Moritz Madlener (Sulzberg, Bavaria, Germany) as well as incoming freshmen Taylor McCrerey, (Frisco, Colorado) Anna Martin, (Edwards, Colorado) and Lars Hannah (Steamboat Springs, Colorado). Competition for the Nordic team starts six days after the alpine skiers, also in Park City, on Jan. 10 and 11.
The NCAA Championships will be hosted this year in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, which happens to be the birthplace of LeRoy and will be a great venue due to the close proximity to campus and familiarity for the skiers.
LeRoy, who won a national title with the Buffaloes in 2000, is ready along with the rest of the ski team to earn back their title from the in-state opponent and add on to their NCAA record holding of 22 national championship titles.
