Nanooks Add Two Ski Recruits, One Runner for Fall 2005
FAIRBANKS, AK - The University of Alaska Fairbanks' cross-country running and skiing teams have added three more student-athletes for next fall.
Pavla Havlova of Jince in the Czech Republic will join the UAF cross-country running team this fall. The Nanook cross-country ski team is adding
Anders Gillis of Fairbanks and West Valley High School, and
Elisabeth Habermann of Soldotna, AK and Skyview HS.
They are the third, fourth and fifth student-athletes to join the UAF cross country teams this year, and the first three to sign during the spring recruiting period. Havlova will join the Nanooks as a senior in terms of eligibility, and will have one year to compete. Both Habermann and Gillis will enter as freshmen, with four years of eligibility.
Havlova participated in cross-country and track and field at Wichita State University during the 2001-02 season. She was the number four runner on the cross-country team, which finished second at the Missouri Valley Conference championships. In track, her best times were 2:15.71 at 800 meters and 4:31.87 at 1500. She is currently studying floriculture (crop production) at the Czech Agricultural University in Prague. At Wichita State, Havlova earned a 3.45 grade point average, which earned her a place on the Dean's Honor Roll.
"Pavla is the runner we need to jump start our women's cross country team," said UAF Head Coach
Scott Jerome. "She has Division I experience and several years of solid training which will enable her to lead our team to a new standard of excellence in running. Pavla possesses both an excellent attitude and work ethic. I am very
pleased that she decided to pursue her education and her cross country running at UAF in the fall."
Gillis earned All-American honors three times at the Junior Olympics in 2003. In 2005, he finished second in the one-kilometer sprint, and 15th in the 15k freestyle. At the Alaska state championships, Gillis was fourth in the 7.5 k classical race and sixth in the 10k freestyle, and was also a member of the fourth place 4 x 5k relay team.
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UAF CROSS COUNTRY RECRUITING 2-2-2
"Anders is a talented young athlete who has proven that he can ski competitively at the national level," said Jerome. "I am extremely pleased that he decided to study and ski at UAF. Though he will not be our top skier in 2005-2006, Anders will undoubtedly be a cornerstone of our team in the coming years. Anders also has the character and integrity that we want on our team. A native of Fairbanks, Anders knows what is means to represent his community outside of interior Alaska. I am thrilled that he will be
representing UAF when the Nanooks hit the road next season."
Habermann earned All-American honors twice in 2004 at the Junior Olympics, once for finishing third in the 5k freestyle, and another time for being a member of the third place relay team. She also took 12th place in the 0.85k sprint.
At the state championships, Habermann was second in the 7.5 k freestyle, sixth in the 5k classical race, and third overall.
"Elisabeth is a very good skier, but she is also somewhat of a diamond in
the rough," said Jerome. "She posted very good results at the Junior Olympics in 2004, but was a little off in 2005. Once we work on some ski techniques next fall
and winter, she may be able to make another significant jump in her
skiing. Elisabeth adds quality and much needed depth to our women's program. I
anticipate that she will thrive along aside her fellow first-year teammates, Anna and Julia Coulter. Elisabeth is also a UA Scholar, which means she is one of the brightest seniors in the state of Alaska. UAF is fortunate that Elisabeth will be pursuing her education here. I am very excited that Elisabeth chose to be a Nanook in the fall."
Havlova is the first UAF cross country running recruit, while Gillis and Habermann join Julia and
Anna Coulter from Traverse City, Michigan in signing to ski for the Nanooks next fall.
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