NCAA: Alaska's Korthauer, Jerome earn CCSA awards

In a unanimous vote, the Central Collegiate Ski Association coaches named Marius Korthauer of Alaska-Fairbanks the NCAA Central Region Male Skier of the Year, and also honored Korthauer’s coach, Scott Jerome, as the region’s Coach of the Year for men’s skiing.
In a unanimous vote, the Central Collegiate Ski Association coaches named Marius Korthauer of Alaska-Fairbanks the NCAA Central Region Male Skier of the Year, and also honored Korthauer’s coach, Scott Jerome, as the region’s Coach of the Year for men’s skiing.
    One of college skiing’s most consistent performers during his four-year Nanook career, Korthauer surpassed all expectations in a spectacular senior season, culminating in his winning an individual national championship in the 20-kilometer classic race at the 2008 NCAA Championships.
    Korthauer was the Central Region’s top finisher in all but one event last season, nearly completing an undefeated CCSA season before being edged by Northern Michigan’s Phil Violett in the conference championship’s classic race. The German native was the top overall finisher in seven events this season, including a streak of six consecutive victories at one stretch.
    In addition to earning his sixth All-American honor and fifth NCAA podium place with a second-place finish in the distance freestyle at nationals, Korthauer also earned his second career CCSA title by winning the 10 km skate race at the Central Region Championships in February. He previously won a conference crown two years ago, in the 15 km freestyle event of the 2006 regionals.
    Jerome, meanwhile, enjoyed a fine fourth season at the helm for Alaska-Fairbanks. Under his guidance, the Nanooks qualified a full team of six skiers for the NCAA Championships for the second year in a row in 2007-08. The program has seen steady improvement since Jerome took the helm in 2004; Alaska qualified four skiers in Jerome’s first year in charge, five in his second, and six in his last two.
    This campaign also brought a piece of history for Jerome and the Nanooks, as he helped Korthauer become the first Alaska male to claim a national championship. Jerome played an integral role in Korthauer’s coming to Alaska, as well as to his progress and development during the pair’s four-year relationship.
    In addition to Korthauer, Jerome also assisted in the growth of Vahur Teppan, who joined the Nanooks at the beginning of the 2006-07 season. Jerome and Teppan saw their hard work pay off this season, as the latter grabbed two All-American places with a pair of top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championship races this season. A native of Estonia, Teppan was called up to his national side this season, representing his country at the Alberta World Cup in January. Following the conclusion of his Nanook career, Teppan was selected to join the Estonian B team, one step away from the highest level of international competition.
    On the women’s side, Northern Michigan’s Morgan Smyth earned the region’s Female Skier of the Year honor, while Wildcats coach Sten Fjeldheim was named women’s skiing Coach of the Year.