Grant named Colorado Sportswoman of the Year
Pioneer sophomore Sterling Grant was named the 2011 Colorado Sportswoman of the Year for alpine skiing, Sportswomen of Colorado announced last Thursday.
“What Sterling did last year was amazing,” said head alpine coach Andy LeRoy. “Winning an individual national championship, a World University Games title and every other contest she entered shows just how special her season was. For her to still be getting recognized for that year is well deserved.”
Grant, who went undefeated in the slalom during her freshman season, chose to attend DU and study business rather than continuing her career with the U.S. National Team.
All of this year’s honorees will be recognized at the 38th Annual Sports Women of Colorado Banquet at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center on March 11.
Kwan enters Hall of Fame
Former Pioneer Michelle Kwan was inducted into the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame on Saturday in San Jose, Calif.
Kwan was honored in the same arena where she claimed her first U.S. title in 1996. During her career, Kwan, 31, has claimed 43 championships, including eight consecutive national titles. In 1998, she won a silver medal at the Winter Olympics. Four years later, she added a bronze medal. Under the old scoring system, Kwan earned a record-breaking 57 perfect 6.0 marks in major events.
“It’s the highest honor bestowed in skating,” Kwan said during a press conference on Friday. “It’s hard to really put into words what it means to me. Skating has made such a big impact on my life.”
DU names new strength and conditioning coach
Former strength and conditioning assistant coach Kathryn Whartenby was promoted to DU’s head strength and conditioning coach Tuesday.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for me and I’m very excited and thankful to the DU coaches and administration,” said Whartenby. “It has always been a career goal of mine to lead my own strength and conditioning program and to be able to do it at a place that I’m passionate about makes it all the more meaningful.”
Whartenby will now oversee the entire strength and conditioning program instead of her prior focus on basketball, lacrosse, gymnastics and men’s soccer.
Before coming to DU in 2010, Whartenby worked as a strength and conditioning assistant coach at Yale and University of Florida.
“Kathryn has worked diligently with our student athletes to prepare them for competition and in maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” said Peg Bradley-Doppes, vice chancellor for Athletics and Recreation and Ritchie Center Operations. “Her knowledge and commitment to excellence in the field of strength and conditioning will go a long way.”
Whartenby is a 2005 graduate of Tusculum College in Knoxville, Tenn. She was a four-year letter winner and three-time captain of the basketball team, maintaining a 4.0 GPA and graduating summa cum laude.
Dolan named RMISA Skier of the Week
Senior Kate Dolan was named the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Skiing Association Women’s Nordic Skier of the Week after her performance at the Denver Invitational last weekend.
Dolan finished 2nd in the 5K classical and 6th in the 15K freestyle competitions at the Pioneers’ invitational in Winter Park, held Jan. 20-21.
“There were some really tough conditions up in Winter Park this weekend,” Dolan said. “I’m very happy with my results. It feels great to receive this honor.”
The honor of RMISA Skier of the Week is determined by adding together the two placements of each skier’s respective races.
Milberg honored with SBC Men’s Swimmer of the Week
Sophomore swimmer Kyle Milberg was honored as the Sun Belt Conference’s Men’s Swimmer of the Week last Tuesday after his performance against Air Force Academy on Jan. 21.
In the rival meet against Air Force, Milberg had three 1st-place finishes. In the 200 IM, he was almost two seconds better than 2nd-place with a time of 1:54.86. Milberg also clinched a victory in the 50 Backstroke, finishing with a time of 23.69. In relays, Milberg contributed to a 1st-place finish in the 400 Medley when he swam the lead leg with a time of 50.30 to help with the team time of 3:22.34.
“For a sophomore, Kyle responds to a lot of unexpected pressure,” said head coach Brian Schrader. “He always has to be on his ‘A’ game to lead off our medley relays. As our best backstroker, the expectation is always there to perform.”
This honor is Milberg’s third of the season.
