Skiers Begin 2003 Collegiate Season This Weekend at Montana State - University of New Mexico Official Athletic Site

Skiers Begin 2003 Collegiate Season This Weekend at Montana State

Senior Lars Bjorge

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Big Sky, Mont. - The University of New Mexico ski team begins its 2003 collegiate ski season this weekend when the Lobo Alpine team heads to Big Sky, Mont. for the opening race in the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association competition. The Lobo men and women will compete in a giant slalom race on Friday, January 3 and a slalom race on Saturday, January 4. While the Alpine team is in Montana, the Nordic squad heads to Rumford. Maine for the U.S. Nationals, January 4-7.

The Lobos return four national champions to the 2003 team, including senior Kristina Strandberg who won an individual Nordic title in 2000. Also returning is junior Jenny Wissting who teamed with Strandberg to win a Nordic team title in 2000. Junior Caroline Schicht and Jennifer Delich were a part of last years womens slalom national team champions.

Delich, Strandberg, and Wissting are also the Lobos three returning all-Americans. Wissting and Delich have both won one All-American award while Strandberg is trying to become the fourth four-time All-American in Lobo history.

Head coach George Brooks is entering his 33rd season at the helm of the UNM Ski Team. He has worked in the UNM athletic department longer than any other member of the staff.

The Lobos are picked fourth in the Ski Racing Magazine coaches poll.

Last season the Lobo Alpine team finished fourth overall at Big Sky. The womens Alpine team took second place in the giant slalom and third in the slalom.

Junior Caroline Schicht scored a 2nd place finish in the giant slalom, tying her career best finish.

Junior Jennifer Delich plced 6th in the slalom in 2002 at Big Sky.

Sophomore Helena Woodrow scored her first collegiate top-10 finish by pacing 10th in the giant slalom at Big Sky in 2002.

Senior Lars Bjorge best finish at Big Sky in 2002 was a 14th place finish in the giant slalom.

Due to the scheduling conflict between the US Nationals and the Montana State race, the Lobos and the rest of the RMISA will return to Bozeman, Mont. on January 17-18 to finish the first RMISA event of the season.