The following individuals were recognized at the 20th Annual “Jindro Mayer Springer Tournee,” by the USANS board, as outstanding members of our sport community.
Ptarmigan Award Recipient: Paul Jastrow
The Ptarmigan Award is USANS original award, and recognizes individuals who have voluntarily provided time and extra service for the benefit of USANS, its members, and the Nordic Sport community.
Paul Jastrow has worked for ski jumping at every level (despite never having been a jumper himself)! In addition to being an official, he has built and implemented new data systems and worked tirelessly to ensure that hills all over the United States are in the best possible condition, just to name a few of many roles.
He is an amazing asset locally, centrally and nationally!
Club of the Year: Alaska
This award is in recognition of the achievements of an individual Nordic ski club that is committed to its members, their local community and the sports of Ski Jumping and/or Nordic Combined.
Alaska’s achievements include:
-Hosting a great Junior National Championships
-Putting athletes into the top ten and even five at Junior Nationals for the first time in a long time and in some classes for the first time ever
-Summer jumping on all hills for the first time ever
-Recruiting at Anchorage schools and having a presence at a number of other community events
-Being the second largest club in the country
Club Leader of the Year: Karen Compton and Vivienne Murray
The Club Leader of the Year award gives recognition to a Nordic ski sport club administrator who has advanced the development, professionalism and results of their club.
What can you say about Karen and Vivienne that is not already known. Karen works day in and day out to improve Alaska ski jumping and Vivienne is more behind the scenes on the business side and also leads the way for events like Junior Nationals. It is because of them that Alaska Ski Jumping has grown so much and is as successful as it currently is.
Club Coach of the Year: Brian Wallace
The Coach of the Year Award is awarded to a Nordic ski sport club coach with outstanding achievements in their sport and/or sporting events.
Brian Wallace made a huge impact on the St. Paul Ski Club in his first year as head coach. Brian kept an open dialogue with the athletes and their parents, creating a positive environment for the athletes to succeed. And succeed they did. He taught them to recognize the improvements in their jumping (no matter how small), and to view the rest as a work in progress. Brian also taught them to prioritize their friendship by celebrating each other’s accomplishments and encouraging each other through the rest.
Junior Sportsman of the Year: Ben Loomis
Junior Sportsman/woman Award is granted not only for athletic achievement but also for the development of courage, confidence and character in the pursuit of excellence.
Ben Loomis is a well deserving recipient because he has excelled in Nordic Combined and is also a great person. His athletic accomplishments for the year, so far, include:
- Third and fourth at World Juniors – best finish in almost 20 years of any NC/SJ skier
- Three fifth places at COCs
- Has become a team leader on his team
Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Sophia Nester
Sophia is an outstanding teammate and leader amongst her peers. She has battled back from hip injuries over the past few seasons and continues to work hard on her rehab and training. During this time, her attitude has been an inspiration to the next generation of athletes and Sophia was an excellent mentor for this year’s Fly Girls. Given that this award is for athletes who exemplify a great deal of character, Sophia is a perfect recipient and an amazing asset to our community.
We look forward to a great year of Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined and thank you to our community for all you do and all you have accomplished.
