University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics

A Fairbanks native and Lathrop High School graduate, Peter Alden left a lasting legacy at the University of Alaska Fairbanks as a trailblazer in both cross country running and Nordic skiing. Initially focused on cross country, Alden quickly rose to prominence as a dual-sport standout for the Nanooks in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1992, he made history by becoming the first Nanook to qualify for the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, following a fourth-place finish at the NCAA West Region meet. He went on to place 12th at the national championships, earning the program's first-ever All-American honor in cross country. Alden's athletic excellence extended to the ski trails as well—he qualified for the NCAA Skiing Championships and added NCSA All-American recognition to his decorated career. His success helped lay the foundation for future generations of Nanook endurance athletes.