DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPION UW NORDIC SKI TEAM UNBEATEN

Feb. 12, 2004 -- With the national meet less than a month away, the defending national champion University of Wyoming Cowgirls Nordic ski team remains unbeaten this season.

Both the UW women's and men's teams have won all three of their competitions this season, taking titles at Frisco, Leadville and Steamboat Springs, Colo.

"Our women's team is even stronger this season than last year, which won the national title," says UW coach Christi Boggs, technology coordinator in the College of Education. "The men's team also is a lot stronger and it looks like they will be able to challenge for the championship title."

Individually, three-time national champion Jennifer Kinner of Casper has won all her races this season. The team has been bolstered by the addition of Kristen Boroff, from Pinedale, who has challenged Kinner for the overall lead, finishing just behind her by a few seconds in each race. Five-time All-American Brooke Umphlett, of Casper, has also qualified for the national meet with her two teammates along with Melissa Gangl, also of Casper, Ava Bell, of Laramie, and Erika Edgely, of Lake Placid, N.Y.

The United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) national meet is March 1-6, in Sugar Loaf, Maine.

The UW men's team is coming off a national runner-up showing from a year ago, finishing behind Clarkson College.

"Clarkson is looking really tough this year because they have all their skiers back, so they won't be easy to beat," Boggs says. "But we have a team that should make them nervous."

The Cowboys are led by Riley Hopeman, a national qualifier from Lander, who has won two of the three races this season. Adam Alspach of Casper, also a national qualifier, won the other race.

"Despite losing two of our top three men from last season, we are stronger than ever because of two new freshmen and two transfer students," Boggs says.

The freshmen are Lander skiers Collin McRann and Joshua Peterson, and the transfers are Alspach and Justin Daraie, of Casper. All have qualified for the national meet.

Other team members are Ashley Driscoll and Johannah Monchecci, Cheyenne; Kelly Dunn, Laramie; Ken Miech and Christina Robinson, Casper; and Beth Soltero, Cody.

The UW Nordic ski teams will host a fundraising event this weekend. The sixth annual Cowboy Chase at the Happy Jack ski trails is Feb. 14-15. The competition is a pursuit style race with a mass start beginning at 10 a.m. for the 7.5 kilometer (km) skate race. A 15 km classic pursuit race begins at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. And for those who do not want to participate in the longer races, a children's/beginner pursuit at 4km and a 3 km classic are offered. Cost is $20 for both races or $15 each for the two separate events. The shorter race competition is $10. The overall men's and women's winners will receive a hand-knitted Nordic hat. Each entrant is eligible for prizes at Saturday's ski team benefit at 6 p.m. at the Laramie High School cafeteria. Cost is $6 per person for the pasta meal and additional drawing tickets will be available at $1 apiece or six for $5.

For more information, call Boggs at (307) 766-3572 or Rachel
Watson at (307) 742-6485.