While many DU students were gearing up for spring break on the beach, the University of Denver ski team was in the mountains of Vermont putting the finishing touches on a perfect season and winning its 18th national championship.

Rene Reisshauer led the Pioneers to their fourth title in the last six years by winning the team’s only two individual titles in the men’s 20K freestyle and 10K classical races.

Dominik Schweiger, John Stene and Haavard Selseng also helped the men’s side, while Florence Roujas, Pia Rivelsrud and Tara Hamilton finished in strong positions to guide the women’s team to victory.

In addition to Reisshauer, all six received All-America honors for their top placings.

Although team members realized that they had a strong chance of achieving their goal of a collegiate national championship, memories of last season’s third place finish were still fresh in their minds.

Senior alpine skier Dominik Schweiger was one of the members of the squad who hoped to improve on last year’s finish.

“On the last day of competition, I was definitely thinking about what had happened last year,” Schweiger said. “It was very nerve wracking, especially as a senior, but once I realized that it was going to happen – we were going to win – the feeling was indescribable.”

Phillip Putzer, in his second year as head coach of the alpine team, said that winning on the last day was one of his most memorable experiences of the entire season.

“When I knew we had won, I felt such relief and satisfaction,” Putzer said. “It was incredible.”

The skiers also went undefeated on the season, finishing in first place at all five invitationals. Women’s alpine captain Pia Rivelsrud, last season’s slalom title winner at the final meet, demanded nothing less than perfection from herself and her team.

“Although I won the individual title last year and I expected the perfect season this season, winning as a team – I had to cry,” said Rivelsrud. “I am just so proud to be a part of this team!”

Women’s nordic captain Tara Hamilton echoed some of Rivelsrud’s thoughts in describing what winning the title meant to her in her senior year.

Hamilton said, “It’s an honor to belong to such a team and I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend my four years in college.”

In recognition of the team’s successes, Director of Skiing Operations Kurt Smitz and the university partnered together to put on a celebration for the team, students and faculty last Wednesday on the north end of Driscoll lawn.

Although attendance was low and was composed almost entirely of Ritchie Center faculty and the ski team, spirits were high for the event and what the team had accomplished.

Smitz spoke of the team’s great attitude and refusal to give up but also the teamwork that brought them victory.

“This group came together all season overcoming injury, illness and in some cases, poor snow conditions, to win,” he said. “This is truly a life experience I will take and never forget and I hope [the team] will also take and remember forever.”

Speakers at the event included local CBS Channel 4 news anchor Jim Beneman, interim-Athletic Director Stu Halsall and Smitz. Additionally, all members of the ski team were invited to take the stage and say a few words about their experiences this season.

Most members of the team had similar things to say, but all spoke of their delight of being a part of such a great organization and continuing their winning tradition.

For many, the small turnout for the event was a sour note to top off such a momentous accomplishment.

Some blamed the quick planning, making it difficult to get the word out about the event, while others cited the team’s home competitions and practices being away from school in the mountains.

Senior alpine skier David Lamb said he did not expect a large crowd.

“Half of the school probably doesn’t even know that we have a [ski] program,” he joked. “Overall though, I think there is a lack of interest in sports here at DU, in part because of a lack of administrative support.”

Putzer emphasized the positive in the situation, saying he was simply happy to have any sort of event put on by the university.