Therese Altobelli Award Best Junior Female Skier
Therese Altobelli was born November 10, 1960 and raised in Iron Mountain, MI by her parents America "Mud" and Arlene. She skied with the Kiwanis Ski Club. She was the first woman to jump in competition on a 90 meter jump. Her personal best jumps is 90 meters in Iron Mountain. She started ski jumping in 1964 after receiving skis as a gift after eye surgery. Her brothers erected their own backyard hill jump and she fell in love with the sport. At age 4, she set her goal to be the first woman ever to ride Giant Pine Mountain. In approximately 1968, she began to jump in Mini-Mite tournaments held every Thursday night in Iron Mountain at the Miron Ski-Bowl, winning consistently. She even earned the title "Mini-Might Champ." At the Junior level with the Kiwanis Ski Club (1974), she was the only girl competing. She competed on the 50 and 70 meter hills, winning many events and scoring many more podium spots which wasn't well-received by some. At the age of 17, in 1978, she felt confident enough to ride Pine Mountain, this being accomplished without any coaching or formal training, as coaches back then wouldn't work with a girl. From 1978-1981, Therese was a strong competitor within the Central Division: St Paul, Minneapolis, Eau Claire, Madison, Fox River Grove as well as Thunder Bay, Canada. Therese currently lives in Iron Mountain, MI and works as a physical therapist assistant.
(Information obtained from the Theresa Altobelli biography courtesy of www.amercianskijumping.com)
The History of Central Division's Memorial Awards
Best Junior Skiers
Past Winners
1996 - Erika Genovese - Minneapolis Ski Club*
1997 - Blair Tomten - Flying Eagles Ski Club*
1998 - Veronica Myhra - St. Paul Ski Club*
1999 - Alana Maki - Itasca Ski Club*
2000 - Blair Tomten - Flying Eagles Ski Club*
2001 - Taylor Lyons - St. Paul Ski Club
2002 - Veronica Myhra- St. Paul Ski Club
2003 - Taylor Lyons - St. Paul Ski Club
2004 - Elisabeth Anderson - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2005 - Karla Keck - Oconomowoc Ski Club
2006 - Elisabeth Anderson - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2007-2009 - Karin Friberg - St. Paul Ski Club
2010-2011 - Nita Englund - Kiwanis Ski Club
2012-2015 - Emilee Anderson - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2016-2018 - Cara Larson - Norge Ski Club
2019 - Anna Hoffmann - Blackhawk Ski Club
2020-2023 - Adeline Swanson - St. Paul Ski Club
*This award was formerly named the Milt Aasen Top Female Junior Skier until after the 2001 season.
John R. Lyons Award Best Junior Male Skier
Past Winners
1999 - Ben Erlandson - Snowflake Ski Club
2000 - Jimmy Denney - Duluth Ski Club
2001 - Jeff Denney - Minneapolis Ski Club
2002-2004 - Kyle Kessler - Minneapolis Ski Club
2005-2007 - Mike Glasder - Norge Ski Club
2008 - Adam Loomis - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2009 - Christian Friberg - St. Paul Ski Club
2010 - Will Schott - Blackhawk Ski Club
2012 - Christian Friberg - St. Paul Ski Club
2013-2014 - Kevin Bickner - Norge Ski Club
2015 - Nick Mattoon - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2016 - Kevin Bickner - Norge Ski Club
2017-2018 - Casey Larson - Norge Ski Club
2019 - Andrew Urlaub - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2020 - Stewart Gundry - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2021 - Hunter Gibson - Norge Ski Club
2022 - Stewart Gundry - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2023 - Maxim Glyvka - Norge Ski Club
John R Lyons was a member of the St. Paul Ski Club since joining in the early 1940's. He was responsible for the financial independence through bingo operations that enabled the St. Paul Ski Club to provide wonderful Nordic facilities at the current Carver's Lake site for all junior skiers, not only for the St. Paul club jumpers but jumpers throughout the Central Division who compete and train in St. Paul. He was an outstanding competitor and had a long and distinguished career as a Class "B", Class "A" and Veterans Class ski jumper. He held past titles of National Veteran's Champion and Masters III Champion. He was a Central Division Ski Jumping Committee member and on numerous occasions headed up the Sanctions Committee for Central as well as a member of the Central Board of Directors.
(information obtained from the St. Paul Ski Club Hall of Fame Induction Letter courtesy of www.stpaulskiclub.com.)
Milt Aasen Award Most Improved Junior Female Skier
The History of Central Division's Memorial Awards
Most Improved Junior Skiers
Past Winners
2000 - Blair Tomten - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2001 - Taylor Lyons - St. Paul Ski Club
2002-2003 - Elisabeth Anderson- Flying Eagles Ski Club
2004-2005 - Karin Friberg - St. Paul Ski Club
2006 - Emilee Anderson - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2007 - Nita England - Kiwanis Ski Club
2008 - Michaela Anderson - St. Paul Ski Club
2009 - Jessie Taylor - Iola Winter Sports Club
2010- Elyse Hoffmann - Blackhawk Ski Club
2011-2012 - Elizabeth Wallace - St. Paul Ski Club
2013- Sabina Gasienica -Norge Ski Club
2014 - Cara Larson - Norge Ski Club
2015- Mollie Immens - Norge Ski Club
2016-2017 - Anna Hoffmann - Blackhawk Ski Club
2018- Sophia Schreiner - St. Paul Ski Club
2019 - Adeline Swanson - St. Paul Ski Club
2020 - Estella Hassrick - Blackhawk Ski Club
2021 - Anna Zigman - Minneapolis Ski Club
2022 - ?- ? Ski Club
2023- Sandra Sproch - Norge Ski Club
Art Knudsen Award Most Improved Junior Male Skier
Past Winners
1998 - Ben Erlandson - Snowflake Ski Club
1999 - Jake Wolf - St. Paul Ski Club
2000 - Ray Hocking - Ishpeming Ski Club
2001- David Sobczak - Cloquet Ski Club
2002 - Mike Glasder - Norge Ski Club
2003- Jerry Jonas - Minocqua Ski Club & Kyle Kessler - Minneapolis Ski Club
2004 - Evan Schauer - Norge Ski Club
2005 - Adam Loomis - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2006 - Nick Schott - Blackhawk Paul Ski Club
2007 - Tyler Baran - Tri-Norse Ski Club
2008 - Trevor Edlund - St. Paul Ski Club
2009- James Cady - Iola Ski Club
2010 - Ben Loomis - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2011 - Luke Tschida - Minneapolis Ski Club
2012 - Trevor Edlund - St. Paul Ski Club
2013 - Nick Mattoon - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2014 - Joe Hoffmann - Blackhawk Ski Club
2015 - Andrew Urlaub - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2016 - Hunter Gibson - Norge Ski Club
2017 - Andrew Urlaub - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2018 - Landon Lee - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2019-2020 - Timothy Ziegler - Ishpeming Ski Club
2021 - Casey Flett - Itasca Ski Club
2022 - Nathan Krotz - Minneapolis Ski Club
2023 - Jacob Larson - St. Paul Ski Club
Art Knudsen was an honorary lifetime member of the Racine Ski Club, whose colorful work in support of the nation’s ski teams was recognized divisionally, nationally and internationally. He also held lifetime memberships in the Snowflake Ski Club of Westby; the Kiwanis Ski Club of Iron Mountain; the Norge Ski Club of Chicago; the Snomads of Racine and the Eau Claire Ski Club. The USSA awarded him an award of Merit in 1971. A native of Racine, born on May 8, 1912, Knudsen used professional painting skills to create three-colored ski team sale booths proclaiming “Support Your Ski Teams.” These flag- bedecked booths were erected at ski shows, ski tourneys and ski conclaves throughout the country. Art traveled almost entirely at his own expense. He also decorated ski jump out-runs and ski race finish lines with flags. A man of gregarious nature, Art was a well-liked and appreciated person who added his interest and artistic ability to many endeavors in the winter sports world. Knudsen’s ski jumping career began at 14 years of age with rides of 50 meters. Art continued his jumping career through the 1948 season, which included a third place in the annual tourney at Racine. He also took up recreational skiing and then moved on to “work for the sport of skiing.” He held the presidency of the Racine Ski Club on 22 occasions during his 41 years of membership. As an officer of the Central Division for 39 years he held a perfect attendance record at conventions. He was a divisional director for 14 years and in 1970 was elected Director Emeritus, the first such honor bestowed. Art served the Olympic movement twice in Squaw Valley – first during the North American Championships of 1959 during tryouts of Olympic facilities and again in 1960 for the real thing. Lake Placid Olympic Games in 1980. (excerpts from a 1973 article by Bill Berry courtesy of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame, Ishpeming, MI)ART KNUDSEN was an honorary lifetime member of the Racine Ski Club, whose colorful work in support of the nation's ski teams was recognized divisionally, nationally and internationally. He also held lifetime memberships in the Snowflake Ski Club of Westby; the Kiwanis Ski Club of Iron Mountain; the Norge Ski Club of Chicago, the Snomads of Racine and the Eau Claire Ski Club. The USSA awarded him an award of Merit in 1971.
A native of Racine, born on May 8, 1912, Knudsen used professional painting skills to create three-colored ski team sale booths proclaiming "Support Your Ski Teams." These flag-bedecked booths were erected at ski shows, ski tourneys and ski conclaves throughout the country. Art travel almost entirely at his own expense. He also demonstrated ski jump out-runs and ski race finish lines with flags. A man of gregarious nature, Art was a well-liked and appreciated person who added his interest and artistic ability to many endeavors in the winter sports world.
Milt was best known for his big smile. Ski jumping was a huge part of his life since he was a child. He started on a jump on the family homestead where he eventually met his wife. After years of competing, he switched to judging. He was a USSA official for over 50 years. He really enjoyed the friends he made through traveling to tournaments throughout his life. He was an official at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid and was a guest of the King of Norway's son in 1982 for the World Championship at Holmenkollen. Always a huge supporter of women's jumping, it was only natural for the Iola native to be honored with an award given in his name to the most outstanding woman ski jumper. Milt would be so proud of the advancements and progress women's jumping has made throughout the years. Those who knew him can remember he always had his trademark cigar. He was also known for his strong hand shake and extra strong bear hugs and pat on the back. So, know that every year, when a new female jumper is recognized in his name, that she is also receiving that warm smile, that strong hand shake, that big bear hug and a guardian angel watching over her as she flies off those jumps!
(Information courtesy of Don Aasen). This award was renamed after the 2010 season.
Knudsen's ski jumping career began at 14 years of age with rides of 50 meters. Art continued his jumping career through the 1948 season, which included a third place in the annual tourney at Racine. He also took up recreational skiing and then moved on to "work for the sport of skiing." He held the presidency of the Racine Ski Club on 22 occasions during his 41 years of membership. As an officer of the Central Division for 39 years he held a perfect attendance record at conventions. He was a divisional director for 14 years and in 1970 was elected Director Emeritus, the first such honor bestowed. Art served the Olympic movement twice in Squaw Valley - first during the North American Championships of 1959 during tryouts of Olympic facilities and again in 1960 for the real thing. Lake Placid Olympic Games in 1980.
(excerpts from a 1973 article by Bill Berry courtesy of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame, Ishpeming MI.)
The History of Central Division's Memorial Awards
Best Master & Most Stylish Skiers
Past Winners
2012 - Patrick Kruegel- Minneapolis Ski Club
2013 - Joe Berens - Minneapolis Ski Club
- Dave Zarling - Minneapolis Ski Club
2014 - Tony Benzie - Snowflake Ski Club
2015 - Jim Mylander - St. Paul Ski Club
2016 - David Edlund - St. Paul Ski Club
2017 - Eric Hagfors - "Team Hella"
2018-2020 - Tony Benzie - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2021 - David Edlund - St. Paul Ski Club
2022-2023 - Tony Benzie - Flying Eagles Ski Club
David S. Edlund Award Best Master Skier
David S Edlund was introduced to ski jumping by his dad, Ray Edlund in 1967. He attended many training camps and competitions at the St. Paul Ski Club and throughout the Central Division throughout his younger years. During his high school days, Dave was a 3-time member of the Tartan High School Ski Jumping Team. In the 1978 and 1979 ski seasons, he was selected and competed for the US National Teams. His success led to being named to the US Junior Development Team including into the 1980 Winter Olympics which were held in Lake Placid, NY. He made it to the final cut.
A highlight of Dave's career was his selection to compete at the Copper Peak Ski Flying facility in 1981. He competed in numerous US Master's Ski Jumping Championships and in three International Master's Ski Jumping Championships: Kuopio, Finland (1993), Hurdal, Norway (1994), and Steamboat Springs, CO (1996). Dave retired from active ski jumping in 1999, but continued to be involved at the St. Paul Ski Club level as well as on the Central Division level.
Dave passed away unexpectedly in July of 2011, but his dedication to the sport of ski jumping at any level is still felt throughout the Central Division. (Information obtained from the St. Paul Ski Club Hall of Fame Induction Letter courtesy of www.stpaulskiclub.com and Kris Edlund.)
Past Winners
2017 - Hunter Gibson - Norge Ski Club
2018- Landon Lee - Flying Eagles Ski Club
2019 - Maxim Glyvka - Norge Ski Club
-Shane Kocher - Norge Ski Club
2020- None - Junior Nationals Cancelled
2021 - Isak Nichols - Norge Ski Club
2022 - ? - ? Ski Club
2023 - Jacob Larson - St. Paul Ski Club
Say the name Korey Arneson to anyone in the ski jumping community and the first thing they will think of is family. Korey treated everyone he knew like family. Korey was a fixture for so long that it's still impossible to think of Central Division tournaments without wondering if he will be TD or a judge at the next event. He dedicated a lot of time to talking to young athletes about their jumping form. Style was the most important thing about ski jumping to him.
The division officials created this award in his honor. The award is decided by which U16 skier has the best combined style points in the individual and team competitions at the Junior Nationals.
When Korey left us in 2016, he left an indelible hole where support, knowledge, fun and love of the sport existed by the shovelful. Korey jumped, coached, shoveled, judged, officiated, taught and respected all of the jumpers, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and fans of the sport. He loved every minute he spent on ski hills.
