Completed Event: Skiing versus 20K Freestyle (M) on March 8, 2025 , , 1st
Final Score
Skiing
1st
vs 20K Freestyle (M)
Five Nordic newcomers have joined the Utah Ski Team entering 2024 // Photos courtesy Steve Fuller and others
Nordic Utes Welcome Five Newcomers
8/25/2023 10:00 AM | Skiing
Three freshmen and two transfers look to bolster a strong core of returners with four-time defending NCAA champs
SALT LAKE CITY – University of Utah head Nordic ski coach Miles Havlick on Friday introduced five newcomers to the program for the 2024 season. The group includes Alaska Fairbanks transfer and NCAA individual champion Joe Davies, College of St. Scholastica transfer Zachary Jayne, plus three freshmen in Max Kluck, Nina Schamberger and Witta Walcher.
"Last spring, we graduated several athletes who have become synonymous with Utah Skiing over the past few years, so we have a large group of new athletes this fall," said Havlick. "We are all excited to get together a group and find a good rhythm with our fall training. The combination of new recruits and returning athletes is motivating for all and I am confident that our momentum from the last few seasons will carry forward in to 2024!"
Quick hits follow on each of the newest five members of the Utah Ski Team. The Utes will also introduce several alpine newcomers shortly.
Joe Davies - Pemberton, British Columbia – Alaska Fairbanks
Davies on the U: "I chose to come to the University of Utah for the large level of support it provides its student-athletes, as well as the opportunity to train with one of the strongest teams in the country."
Max Kluck – Butte, Mont. – Bridger Ski Foundation
Kluck on the U: "I chose the University of Utah mostly because of the ski team, but I also really like its closeness to Park City with its mountain biking and trail running."
Zachary Jayne – Bend, Ore. – College of St. Scholastica
Jayne on the U: "Initially, I was unsure if I was good enough to ski collegiately, but I have progressed a lot in a short period of time. Miles, Fredrik and the Utah Ski Team are the best in the U.S. and they reached out to me. For them to believe in me and my potential, there was no other team for me. Go Utes!"
Nina Schamberger - Leadville, Colo. – Summit Nordic Ski Club
Schamberger on the U: "I chose the University of Utah because I have goals to be a professional skier in the future and to me, the U was the best stepping stone to this. I think this is a place where I can thrive, surrounded by dedicated, like-minded student-athletes all while enjoying the process. There is so much I can learn from this ski team!"
Witta Walcher – Ramsau, Austria - WSV Ramsau am Dachstein
Walcher on the U: "I chose the University of Utah because it offers so many great training opportunities as well as excellent education programs. Moreover, the university offers numerous amazing opportunities for both athletic and personal development."
Follow the Utah Ski Team on social media @utahskiteam.
"Last spring, we graduated several athletes who have become synonymous with Utah Skiing over the past few years, so we have a large group of new athletes this fall," said Havlick. "We are all excited to get together a group and find a good rhythm with our fall training. The combination of new recruits and returning athletes is motivating for all and I am confident that our momentum from the last few seasons will carry forward in to 2024!"
Quick hits follow on each of the newest five members of the Utah Ski Team. The Utes will also introduce several alpine newcomers shortly.
Joe Davies - Pemberton, British Columbia – Alaska Fairbanks
- Skied the 2022 and '23 collegiate seasons at Alaska Fairbanks.
- NCAA Individual Champion (10K FS - 2023)
- NCAA First Team All-American (10 FS - 2023)
- NCAA Second Team All-American (20K CL – 2023; 20K FS - 2022)
- 2022 and '23 All-RMISA Second Team
- USCSCA All-Academic Team
- Also raced at the U23 World Championships, placing 13th in the 10K freestyle and 15th in the 20K classic.
Davies on the U: "I chose to come to the University of Utah for the large level of support it provides its student-athletes, as well as the opportunity to train with one of the strongest teams in the country."
Max Kluck – Butte, Mont. – Bridger Ski Foundation
- Raced with Bridger Ski Foundation.
- Made his Junior Worlds debut in 2023, racing at Whistler in the 20K classic and classic sprints.
- Nominated in May 2023 to represent the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team (D-Team).
Kluck on the U: "I chose the University of Utah mostly because of the ski team, but I also really like its closeness to Park City with its mountain biking and trail running."
Zachary Jayne – Bend, Ore. – College of St. Scholastica
- Spent the 2023 collegiate season at the College of St. Scholastica where he was an NCAA Championships qualifier.
- Five top-five finishes and three CCSA podiums.
- NCAA Central Region Champion in the 20K classic and finished third in the 10K freestyle.
- Had two top-15 SuperTour finishes in the 2022-23 season.
- Skied with Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation prior to college.
- Was the 2022 Oregon High School state champion both in classic and skate.
Jayne on the U: "Initially, I was unsure if I was good enough to ski collegiately, but I have progressed a lot in a short period of time. Miles, Fredrik and the Utah Ski Team are the best in the U.S. and they reached out to me. For them to believe in me and my potential, there was no other team for me. Go Utes!"
Nina Schamberger - Leadville, Colo. – Summit Nordic Ski Club
- Won a junior 10K freestyle pursuit in Falcade, Italy, during the 2023 season.
- Placed in the top-nine during the 10K freestyle at the 2023 U.S. National Championships.
- Raced in three events during the 2022 Junior World Championships in Norway, including as part of a fifth-place U.S. relay team.
- Schamberger's relay team also included fellow Utah teammate Sydney Palmer-Leger.
- Made her U.S. Junior Nationals debut in 2019.
Schamberger on the U: "I chose the University of Utah because I have goals to be a professional skier in the future and to me, the U was the best stepping stone to this. I think this is a place where I can thrive, surrounded by dedicated, like-minded student-athletes all while enjoying the process. There is so much I can learn from this ski team!"
Witta Walcher – Ramsau, Austria - WSV Ramsau am Dachstein
- Skied with WSV Ramsau am Dachstein.
- Three-time competitor at the FIS Nordic Junior World Championships.
- Part of the silver medal-winning Nordic mixed team at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games.
- Had two victories on the Alpen Cup circuit.
- Won 21 Austrian championship titles.
Walcher on the U: "I chose the University of Utah because it offers so many great training opportunities as well as excellent education programs. Moreover, the university offers numerous amazing opportunities for both athletic and personal development."
Follow the Utah Ski Team on social media @utahskiteam.
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