DENVER – As four years of collegiate racing came to a close for senior Storm Klomhaus, it was a bit of a storybook ending.

After picking up skiing at eight years old for a weekend hobby, Klomhaus has become a dominant skier at the collegiate level.

"My parents didn't ski, so we really didn't know what we were getting ourselves into," Klomhaus said. "They signed me up just to get me to do a weekend activity and 12 years later here we are."

For Klomhaus, skiing has turned into her passion as she has found success at the University of Denver despite missing nearly two years due to injury. In her freshman season, she earned four top-10 finishes and NCAA All-Academic honors.

Entering the 2020 season, the senior had not raced in nearly a year but made the most of her final season in the Crimson and Gold. She skied to six top-five finishes in seven races, including a National Championship in the giant slalom.

"It meant everything to win a National Championship for my team, especially when I only got to attend one NCAA Championship in my four years," added Klomhaus. "I had watched my teammates compete at NCAAs the last three seasons, so it was cool to be a part of it this time."

Her senior season performance earned her First Team All-American honors in the giant slalom, First Team All-RMISA, and a spot on the USCSCA All-Academic Ski Team.

During her time at Denver, Klomhaus has been able to develop and learn from head alpine coach Andy LeRoy and associate head alpine coach Tyler Shepherd.

"Coach LeRoy and Coach Shepherd have had a great impact on my skiing," Klomhaus said. "They brought me on the team four years ago when I was left with no coaches and no team, they believed in me through all my injuries and setbacks.

"I am a completely different skier since starting at Denver, despite missing almost two years. Denver provided me with the opportunities to develop to the point where I can ski competitively after college."

The road for the Boulder native doesn't stop here though as Klomhaus looks to go to the next level, professionally skiing on the World Cup circuit as she leaves her impact on the University of Denver ski team upon graduation in June.

"Storm joined our program as one of the youngest, yet also one of the most self-confident athletes I have ever coached. Teaching her to ski was the easy part due to how motivated she was to train and outwork the rest of the world. She will graduate in June; well prepared for world cup skiing and med-school, whenever that time should come. I am proud of what she has accomplished and thankful for her impact on our program." LeRoy said.

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