I first met Willie Neal several years ago at a camp Sten Fjeldheim and I ran. I remember Willie being very enthusiastic, motivated, and happy.  I then became reacquainted with Willie during his college search. Although I did not land Willie for UAF, I was always very impressed by Willie’s integrity during the recruiting process. I remember him always being very mature and honest in his communications with me. Though he did not choose to come to Alaska I was always rooting for Willie.

I was so sorry to hear about Willie’s death. I send my heartfelt thoughts to Willie’s family and friends. I am deeply sorry for your loss. –S. Jerome

I am very pleased to announce that Matt Dunlap of Farmington, Maine, will
be our new assistant coach for skiing and cross country.

Matt is a graduate of Bates College where he competed for four years in
cross country, skiing, and track & field. Matt was a team captain for
both the cross country team and the skiing team during his senior year.

A stand-out skier for the Bobcats, Matt excelled in cross country,
qualifying twice for the NCAA Cross Country National Championship. He set
his 8 km CC PR at the NCAA Regional Championship during his senior year,
qualifying for nationals in a time of 25:13.

Matt successfully coached high school cross country, skiing, and track &
field following his time at Bates. Matt’s outgoing personality,
dedication to student-athletes, and commitment to excellence in sport will
be great assets to our program.

Matt will arrive in Fairbanks in early August and begin his duties at UAF
immediately.  –SJ

Assistant Coach Ingrid Olson (front left) with the Nanooks at NCAAs in 2008

I’ve heard a lot of B.S. in my 16 years of coaching.  And, to be fair, I have spewed a fair bit of it myself.  But, as I have gotten older, I have tried to “do more” and “talk less”.  I am just so sick of the talkers: those who talk a good game but fail to produce when it counts.  I have also gained increasing respect for those who quietly go about their business and produce results without the flash and B.S.

Ingrid Olson, our UAF assistant for skiing for the past five years, is one of those people who produces.  Ingrid has decided to pursue a career in nursing and thus resigned her post this spring.  This is a tough loss for UAF athletics and our student-athletes.  Ingrid leaves big shoes to fill.  Though she has her shortcomings, as we all do, Ingrid was an ideal assistant for one basic reason: she produced.

Ingrid did not talk a bunch of smack, she just quietly did her job.  She did not let her own ego get in the way of her responsibilities.  What made Ingrid such a good assistant was that whatever she did, she did for the good of the team.  She is trustworthy, loyal, and hardworking.  She is a doer.  Is she perfect?  No.  Did she help our team progress?  Yes.

I coached Ingrid for four years and then coached beside her for another five.  She has seen me at my worst and at my best, and she stuck with me.  I will miss her for many reasons.  The thing I will probably miss the most is her work ethic.  Ingrid is a doer.  Godspeed, Ingrid!  –SJ

Vahur Teppan (right) joined Torin Koos (left) and Andy Newell on the podium in the individual sprint event at the 2008 US National Championship.

I just received an e-mail from University of Alaska Fairbanks Ski Team alumnus Vahur Teppan about his FIS rollerski experience in China.  Vahur raced twice, posted a 4th and a 5th, and beat some talented skiers such as Björn Lind and Thobias Fredriksson.  Vahur reports that he out-strentched Lind at the line in the semi-final at Yakeshi to take the last spot in the finals.  “Practicing it on Birch Hill has helped a lot,” he wrote, referring to our informal sprint practices around the stadium in Fairbanks. 

Keep your eyes on this sprinter in the coming years.  He’s apt to be in the results for some time to come.  –SJ

Hi All,

A few notes on my Ester Dome challenge.

1) The challenge will take place on Saturday, September 5. Racers must be registered for the UAF Ester Dome race in order to be eligible for prize money.

2) $100 will be awarded to the first person who breaks 20 minutes on September 5, 2009. In other words, if more than one person do it, only the winner will collect $100. In addition, the first woman to break 24 minutes on this day collects $100.

3) No NCAA athletes or high school athletes are eligible for prize money.

4) The course record is 22:47 for men. This was set on September 8, 2007, by eventual NCAA skiing national champion Marius Korthauer. The women’s record stands at 26:03. Pavla Havlova set this mark on October 1, 2005, besting the previous record (set by Pavla one month earlier) by two seconds.  Seven weeks later Pavla raced to All America honors at the NCAA D-II cross country national championships.

5) It is not impossible to break 20 minutes. 

6) I have respect for anyone who races up Ester Dome.  I am not sure why former competitors would feel insulted by the offering of a prize for a lofty course record.  My intention was to create some buzz about the race and offer a bit of cash to a top runner.  I would like to offer more ($1,000, for example), but since this money is coming out of my own pocket it would be irresponsible for me to do so.  If any former racers were insulted by my $100 challenge I certainly apologize.  This was certainly not my intention.

-SJ