DENVER – University of Denver Skiing announced today that the team has added five student-athletes to its alpine squad for the upcoming 2023 winter season.
The class includes
Jack Bowers (Aspen, Colorado),
Thomas Hoffman (Manly, Australia),
Mia Hunt (Park City, Utah),
Sara Rask (Stockholm, Sweden) and
Josephine Trueblood (Edwards, Colorado).
"I'm really looking forward to this incoming class, and I think they will all immediately contribute to the success of our team next year," said
DU Alpine Head Coach Joonas Rasanen. "We have some veteran ski racers in this group that are no strangers to competing internationally, and I think they will all help us not miss a beat as we continue to build on the success we had this past winter."
Jack Bowers | Alpine | Aspen, Colorado
6-1 | University of Nebraska High School
Before Denver:
Previously skied for Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club and Team Clif Race Academy … Finished 16th in slalom at the 2022 U.S. National Championships in Sugarloaf, Maine, on March 29 … Also placed 16th in slalom in the 2022 Nor-Am Cup Finals at Sugarloaf on March 28 … Had 13th and 19th-place finishes in alpine combined at the Nor-Am Cup at Whiteface, N.Y., on Feb. 10, 2022 … Placed second in super G and third in alpine combined at the 2021 U.S. Junior National Championships … Was 11th overall in both super G and alpine combined at 2021 U.S. National Championships … Finished third in slalom and giant slalom at the 2021 National Junior Championships in Italy … Won the Pursuit of Excellence Award from AVSC in 2019 … 2018 Colorado Ski Cup overall and downhill champion … 2018 Governor's Cup U19 champion … Competed at the 2022 Utah and Montana State Invitationals as a non-collegiate invitee.
Personal:
Born March 3, 2000 … Son of Thomas Bowers and Lee Keating … Has an older sister, Dairinn … Grandfather, Thomas Bowers Sr., is an alum of the University of Denver … Father was a member the U.S. Alpine Ski Team from 1982-1987 … Grandfather, Dan Keating, played Minor League Baseball for the St. Louis Browns, while his uncle, Mike Keating, played also played Minor League Baseball for the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals organizations … Graduated from University of Nebraska High School in 2019 … Lists his career goals as winning an NCAA National Championship and being one of the best alpine ski racers in the world … Hobbies include surfing, surf foiling, kitesurfing, wing foiling and is an avid Catan boardgame player.
Why DU:
"I chose the University of Denver because of their outstanding ski racing program and excellent academics."
Thomas Hoffman | Alpine | Manly, New South Wales, Australia
5-11 | Burke Mountain Academy
Before Denver:
Previously competed for Burke Mountain Academy and has been an Australian National Team member since 2019 … Was seventh in slalom at the Canadian National Championships on March 17, 2022 … Placed 21st in giant slalom at the FIS Junior World Championship on March 8, 2022 … Came in fourth in slalom in a national junior race at Smugglers Notch Resort, Vt., on Feb. 23, 2021 … Participated at the 2020 Youth Olympic Winter Games in Lausanne and Les Diablerets, Switzerland … Enters DU with experience in eight races at the university level as a non-collegiate invitee.
Personal:
Born Aug. 13, 2002 … Son of Andrew Hoffman and Emma Worsley … Has an older sister, Madi, and younger brothers Harry and Jack … Sister Madi currently skis at the University of Utah … Goal is to compete on the World Cup for his home country of Australia … Also likes biking … Intends to major in finance at DU.
Why DU:
"I chose the University of Denver because of its proximity to the mountains. Attending DU will allow me quick and easy access to training and competition venues."
Mia Hunt | Alpine | Park City, Utah
5-8 | The Winter Sports School
Before Denver:
Previously competed for Park City Ski and Snowboard Club … Named to the U.S. Ski Team National Development Group in 2021 and 2022 … PCSS Skier of the Year in 2022 and recognized with the PCSS Cathy Swing Award for Leadership in 2021 … Finished 19th in slalom at the 2022 U.S. National Championships … Placed third in giant slalom in a national junior race in Alpine Meadows, Calif., on April 6 and in Beaver Creek, Colo., on Dec. 8 … Came in 11th in slalom at Nor-Am Cup in Panorama, B.C., on Dec. 17 … Competed at the 2022 Utah Invitational, Middlebury Carnival and RMISA Championships as a non-collegiate invitee.
Personal:
Born Jan. 10, 2003 … Daughter of Jesse and Anne Kari Hunt … Has younger siblings Espen and Annika … Mother was a Nordic skier at the University of Utah and father was an alpine skier at the University of Vermont … Graduated from The Winter Sports School in Park City in 2020 … Participated in National Honor Society in high school … Intends to major in economics at DU … Hopes to one day ski on the World Cup circuit and compete in the Olympics for Team USA … Also enjoys soccer, horseback riding, mountain biking and traveling … Took an exchange year in Norway at Dønski Videregående Skole in 2019-20.
Why DU:
"I chose DU because it is a place where I will be challenged both academically and athletically. The location of the school, the quarter system and the ski team itself provide a great opportunity for me to develop my skiing while also getting a great education."
Sara Rask | Alpine | Stockholm, Sweden
5-8 | Malung Alpine Elite Academy
Before Denver:
Previously competed for Sollentuna Slalomklubb … Named Student of the Year in 2020 at Malung Alpine Elite Academy … Competed in 23 World Cup races from 2018-2022 before joining the Pioneers, with her scoring points in 30th place in slalom in Flachau, Austria, on Jan. 12, 2021 … Has recorded four career podiums, including two wins in 2020 on the Europa Cup … Has over 20 top-10 finishes on the Europa Cup from 2017-2022, including posting sixth and seventh-place finishes in GS in Maribor, Slovenia, during the 2021-22 season on Feb. 12-13 … Was first in giant slalom at the 2020 FIS Junior World Ski Championships and finished first in slalom at the 2022 Italian National Junior Championships … Posted a pair of second-place finishes and a fourth-place result in slalom at the Italy National Championships on March 1-6, 2022 … Won the giant slalom and was sixth in slalom at the 2019 Swedish National Championships.
Personal:
Born March 15, 2000 … Daughter to Patrik and Monica … Has a younger sister, Lisa … Graduated from Malung Alpine Elite Academy in 2020 … Goal is to be the first Swedish skier to compete on the World Cup both during and after studying at college in the U.S. … Also enjoys playing tennis.
Why DU:
"I chose Denver because of the great skiing possibilities, including the awesome ski team that the college has and the local ski areas that as a Swede I have dreamed of skiing on."
Josephine Trueblood | Alpine | Edwards, Colorado
5-7 | Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy
Before Denver:
Previously competed for Ski and Snowboard Club Vail … Recipient of the 2020 Commitment Award from SSCV … Placed third in an FIS giant slalom event in Big Sky, Mont., on Jan. 21, 2022 … Finished seventh in giant slalom in a national junior race at Beaver Creek, Colo., on Dec. 7, 2021 … Was 22nd in slalom at the 2022 U.S. National Championships on March 29 … Competed at the 2022 Denver Invitational, Montana State Invitational, Utah Invitational and RMISA Championships as a non-collegiate invitee.
Personal:
Born June 24, 2002 … Daughter of Mike and Heidi Trueblood … Father was an alpine skier at the University of Colorado and was an All-American in 1991 … Has an older sister, Gabby … Graduated from Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy in 2020 … Intends to enroll in mechanical engineering at DU … After graduating from DU and finishing ski racing, would like to work as an engineer in the cycling world … Also ran track and cross country for Battle Mountain High School, earning three varsity letters in both sports (2017, 2018, 2019) … Helped Vail Valley Running Club to a ninth-place result at the 2018 Nike Cross Nationals … Enjoys all types of skiing (racing, free skiing and skinning), mountain and road biking, hiking and traveling.
Why DU:
"I chose DU because of all the academic and athletic opportunities and support available. I'm really excited about going to school in Colorado and being able to pursue my academic and athletic goals."
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