(CU Independent graphic/Adam Milner)
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OPINION-If you are like me in the skiing department, you are a two-tone hairpiece–you got no clue!
But with the help of technology and long, lonely nights as I slowly slip into a realm of madness, I have finally figured out how to successfully translate Ski-Bumian to English.
Since 1954, the Colorado Buffaloes and the Denver Pioneers ski teams have spouted 36 combined NCAA Championships.
21 for Denver and 15 for Colorado.
Translation: The CU and DU ski teams have 35 more NCAA Championships than the CU and DU football and basketball programs combined.
At the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association Championships, Colorado took first, followed by Alaska, New Mexico, Utah and then Denver in fifth.
Translation: New Mexico?!
Wednesday, in Steamboat Springs, the 2010 NCAA Ski Championships will begin and both Colorado and Denver are one of only four schools that qualified a full team of a dozen skiers. Dartmouth and Utah were the other two. Alaska Anchorage and New Mexico both qualified one off-the-pace with 11.
“It was actually tougher to choose the team this year than previous years, when we did not qualify a full-team,” said CU head coach Richard Rokos in a news release. “It’s the one unfortunate thing if you have depth, with only three skiers from each discipline allowed to go to the NCAA’s, someone’s going to be left out.”
Translation: “It is always easier being better. But look at my giant heart of compassion.”
Denver comes into this year’s championships with two consecutive national titles under their belts. And even with a fifth place showing in the RMISA Championships, Denver’s Nordic head coach David Stewart is not worried. Stewart told denverpioneers.com that three men and women are qualified for the Nordic race, which was key to their championship victory last year.
“The team is looking forward to return next week and defend their national title,” Stewart said.
Translation: “We are not saying we are the best ever. Just really good, and a lot better than everyone else.”
Colorado, on the other hand, will be led by seniors Matt Gelso in men’s Nordic and Drew Roberts in men’s alpine, who are both making their fourth appearance at the championships.
Translation: Four appearances? These guys are really good at skiing.
According to Ski Racing Magazine, going into Wednesday, the rankings go Colorado in first followed New Mexico, Dartmouth, Denver and then Vermont who rounds out the top five.
Translation: New Mexico?!
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Brent New at Brent.new@colorado.edu.
