Winter Preview, Alpine and Nordic Skiing: National aspirations

The men's nordic ski team will look for significant contributions this year from seniors Ollie Garrison and Nate Erlandson. The team features a great deal of youth, returning five underclassmen. With this blend of experience and young talent, the Oles will look to return to the form that saw them capture the team championship at Nationals last season.

The women's nordic ski team also took home the team title a season ago. They will rely on the experience of Linn Dale '07 and Stephanie Block '07 to lead the charge this season. These veterans will likely prove to be a key factor in the Oles' performance.

The women's alpine team returns senior Ali Guinn, who placed 21st in the giant slalom and 22nd in the slalom in the nation last season. Guinn is joined by Jeanine Kooman as the only other senior on the team. Overall, the Oles will look to continue the strong performance from one year ago, when they placed fifth nationally.

The men's alpine team graduated only one member of their squad last season, and returns Jake Olsen '06, who placed 33rd in the giant slalom at Nationals last year. The team will hope to capitalize on its relative youth and improve on it's already-impressive 15th-place 2005 finish.