| 11/19/2009 12:20:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | American Ski Jumping
Hall of Fame adds female athletes
2009 ceremony welcomes first women
Wally Wakefield
staff writer
The American Ski Jumping Hall of Fame (ASJHF) will induct its third group of members including, for the first time, a group of female athletes on Dec. 6. The ASJHF formed four years ago and is located in Red Wing, a city that bills itself as the "Birthplace of Ski Jumping."
The induction ceremonies will also include former U.S. National Class "A" Champions as new members of the Hall of Fame.
Eau Claire Leader Telegram sports writer Ron Buckli, who has covered the sport of ski jumping for over 60 years, will also be added to the list.
The Class "A" champions include: Jim Brennan, Willie Erickson, John Evenson, Henry Hall, Ryan Heckman, Olaf Jonnum, Todd Lodwick, Johnny Spillane, Sig Ulland, Ole Westgard and Keith Zuehlke.
The group is widely separated as far as age and where they live, bringing representation of many different areas in the United States to the Hall of Fame.
Dorothy "Dottie" Graves is one of four women who will be honored next month. Graves is a pioneer skier from the Eastern Association who jumped in an era when few women were recognized in the sport. She earned her way into Class "A" status while competing against men.
Theresa Altobelli is another female ski jumper who was before her time. In the 1960s and early 70s. Altobelli made the "circuit" of the Central Division and was the first female jumper to ever ski from the famous Pine Mountain Ski Jump located in Iron Mountain, Mich.
Karla Keck - from a family of ski jumpers in Oconomowoc, Wis. - has a history of being a pioneer in the movement of female ski jumpers. She began competing in the early 1990s against boys in Junior Olympic events. Steadily, as the movement among women increased across Europe, Keck became the foremost female competitor in the United States.
She is actively involved in a movement for the International Olympic Committee to make a place for women to compete in the sport during the winter Olympics.
Lindsey Van has followed in Keck's footsteps and in some cases has taken the sport to new levels for women in the United States. Along with Keck, Van was one of two female ski jumpers to sail from the giant 120 meter slide in Westby, Wis.
In addition to winning the U.S. National Championships on numerous occasions, Van has claimed many spots on the podium throughout the world.
The 16 newest members of the American Ski Jumping Hall of Fame bring the total, in the three years of induction ceremonies, to 128.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be held at 1 p.m. Dec. 6, at the historic St. James Hotel in downtown Red Wing.
The public is invited to attend, free of charge.
Quick takeoffs
Just prior to the NORTH final football game — Section 2AAAAA against IRONDALE — Polars’ quarterback JOE RUBBELKE fractured his wrist and missed the contest. Hopefully — following surgery — he will be ready for hockey action, which is scheduled to begin this month. . . . Former TARTAN girls’ basketball standout ABBY NIELSEN has returned to her alma mater as an assistant with the girls’ basketball program . . . Some dates you might want to mark your calendar for “happenings” during this 40th Anniversary Year of POLAR Arena — Leading up to the TARTAN/NORTH battle Dec. 19 — The NORTH Annual Alumni and Hall of Fame game will be held Dec. 4 and 2009 members CHRIS BARTHOLOMEW, RICH DILLE, BRETT HEDICAN and DAN PAVEL will be inducted. Feb. 5, between games with COMO PARK, HEDICAN’s NORTH High number will officially be retired. A special tribute to honor longtime “Golden Voice of the Polars” JOE GERARD will be during the HILL-MURRAY game on Feb. 16 . . . Want to be a speed skater? The JOHN ROSE Oval at ROSEVILLE Arena is now open and no experience is necessary for kids to get started in the program of the Roseville Parks and Recreation Department. Sessions begin Dec. 1 and will be held twice a week. For cost, rentals and further details visit: www.midwayspeedskating.org. . . Hey RUTH you hang in there !
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
