Whitman skiers like New Hampshire snow

Whitman sophomore Holly Brooks dominated the women’s cross country events at this year’s U.S. Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association national championships, held in March at Waterville Valley, New Hampshire.

Brooks won the sprint, classic, and freestyle events in addition to anchoring Whitman’s winning relay team. Her efforts led the Whitman women to their second consecutive cross country combined national title. The men’s cross country team also captured its second straight title, with first-year student Justin Daraie and junior Jason Cork winning individual events.

In alpine competition earlier in the winter, Whitman claimed its ninth consecutive men’s and women’s Northwest Collegiate Ski Conference titles. After both Whitman teams added west region titles, Arne Backstrom, a junior, paced the Missionaries at nationals, placing as high as sixth in a field dominated by European athletes competing for U.S. colleges.

Also at nationals, junior Spruce Schoenemann and sophomore James Caron won individual events to spark the Whitman men to a national title in snow-boarding.

Holly Brooks