SALT LAKE CITY – College of Utah head alpine ski coach JJ Johnson launched seven newcomers to the workforce on Tuesday, because the Utes depend down the times to the 2024 season.
Switch Mikkel Solbakken of close by Westminster joins Utah after successful the 2021 particular person NCAA championship in males’s big slalom, whereas the Utes additionally welcome freshmen Celia Abad, Melanie Dahlberg, Maddie Kaiserman, Kaila Lafreniere, Sindre Myklebust and Jay Poulter.
“Our incoming student-athletes have ignited a spark of pleasure all through this group,” stated Johnson. “Their various backgrounds and racing expertise will add prompt pace and a piece ethic on and off the snow. We’re excited to see what they will do athletically, and extra importantly, how they develop as folks.”
Fast hits observe on every of the most recent members of the Utah Ski Group. Info on the Nordic workforce’s newest additions is on the market by clicking right here.
Celia Abad – Jaca, Spain – Feminine Alpine Ski Group (FAST)
- Skied in her native Spain with the Feminine Alpine Ski Group (FAST).
- Gained gold in alpine mixed and completed third in Tremendous G on the 2023 World College Video games in Lake Placid.
- Spanish nationwide champion in Tremendous G.
- Earned a spot on the Spanish Nationwide Growth Group.
- Skied to seven podiums in FIS competitions
Abad on the U: “I selected the College of Utah as a result of they’ve probably the greatest faculty ski groups within the U.S. It was a chance to compete at a excessive degree whereas receiving a very good training.”
Melanie Dahlberg – Helsingborg, Sweden – Landskrona Ski Membership
- Skied with the Landskrona Ski Membership.
- Represented her native Sweden through the 2023 Junior World Ski Championships.
- Additionally raced on the European Cup circuit through the 2022-23 season.
- Two-time Swedish Nationwide Champion in slalom.
Dahlberg on the U: “I selected the College of Utah due to the attractive metropolis and nature near campus, in addition to the excellent status of the ski workforce and the college.”
Maddie Kaiserman – Park Metropolis, Utah – Park Metropolis Ski & Snowboard
- Skied with Park Metropolis Ski & Snowboard.
- Completed 16th within the 2023 Nor-Am Cup standings for big slalom.
- Member of the U.S. Ski Group Alpine Nationwide Growth Group (NDG).
- Named 2023 Skier of the 12 months together with her membership program.
- Additionally competed in soccer earlier than turning her focus to ski racing.
Kaiserman on the U: “It was actually a no brainer for me to decide on the College of Utah. I am from the world, and actually could not consider a greater place to develop up, stay and get an training. And to not point out, snowboarding for the U has been a dream of mine since I used to be a younger racer, in order that was positively an enormous bonus!”
Kaila Lafreniere – Whistler, B.C. – Group Quebec and Belle Neige
- Competed with Group Quebec and Belle Neige.
Lafreniere on the U: “It has all the time been a dream for me to compete within the NCAA, and to ski in Park Metropolis. Coming to Utah permits me to do each.”
Sindre Myklebust – Sogndal, Norway – TrønderAlpin, Oppdal Skigymnas and Sogndal Il
- Completed 15th in slalom and 20th in GS on the 2023 FIS Junior World Ski Championships.
- Represented Norway within the 2020 Youth Olympic Video games, the place he completed sixth in GS.
- Had six victories in FIS races through the 2023 season.
- Eleven begins on the European Cup in 2022 and ’23.
Myklebust on the U: “I’ve all the time been informed that if I had been ever going to varsity, Utah was the place to be. That, mixed with a good looking metropolis and figuring out Gustav Vøllo from my time snowboarding in Hemsedal (Norway), made it a simple determination. After some good talks with JJ Johnson, I used to be packing my luggage for Utah. I’m actually trying ahead to snowboarding for Utah and hope we are able to obtain nice issues collectively.”
Jay Poulter – Stratton, Vt. – U.S. Ski Group (Alpine C)
- Two prior podiums in Nor-Am competitors.
- Was with Stratton Mountain College and Steamboat Springs Winter Sports activities Membership previous to the U.S. Ski Group.
- Member of the U.S. Ski Group Alpine Nationwide Growth Group in 2020-21.
- Two-time U.S. Junior Nationwide Champion.
- Additionally has performed soccer and baseball.
Poulter on the U: “I selected the College of Utah due to the elite degree throughout the workforce and the world-class coaching venue solely 20 minutes away.”
Mikkel Solbakken – Bekkestua, Norway – Westminster
- Spent the 2020-23 collegiate seasons at close by Westminster.
- NCAA Particular person Champion (GS – 2021)
- NCAA First Group All-American (GS – 2021; SL – 2023)
- NCAA Second Group All-American (GS – 2022)
- All-RMISA and USCSCA All-Tutorial Group honoree.
- Skied with Baerum Ski Membership earlier than Westminster.
Solbakken on the U: “After experiencing a superb undergraduate program at Westminster Faculty and 4 years of pleasant snowboarding with their ski workforce in Salt Lake Metropolis, I made a decision to embrace a brand new problem and pursue additional progress as a scholar and skier for College of Utah. With the historic efficiency of the Utah Ski Group and the comfort of staying close by, selecting the College of Utah was a simple determination to foster each tutorial and athletic growth.”
Comply with the Utah Ski Group on social media @utahskiteam.
