November 7, 2008 (Anchorage, AK) – The 2008 USSA Program of the Year, the Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center is pleased to announcing the hiring of three new staff members. Former APU Elite team member and Alaskan Eric Strabel will be assisting head coach Erik Flora with the Elite and University programs. During his competitive ski racing days Strabel competed both nationally and internationally for the U.S.A and has since retiring from the ski world has been working locally in Anchorage as an engineer. “Eric’s experience and knowledge as an elite [APU] racer and his interest in coaching will be an asset to our program,” states Flora.

Also joining the coaching staff will be former APU team member and long time Alaska resident Dylan Watts. In addition to helping with coaching, Dylan will be looking after the programs administrative duties, as well as managing the Lowell Thomas Training Center on Eagle glacier. “Dylans incredible ability to take in and retain information and data is invaluable to our program,” says Flora. “It allows us [coaches] to focus on our primary duties of working directly with the athletes.”

Rounding out the APUNSC staff will be Casey Fagerquist who has come on board as the Elite/University team’s full time wax technician. “Casey worked with the program on a part-time basis last season and showed a tremendous talent for ski and wax testing,” notes Flora. “He will be a key ingredient to taking our program to the next level”.

The APU Elite team will begin the 2008-09 racing season when they depart for West Yellowstone on November 22. More information on the APUNSC programs follow this link: nordic.alaskapacific.edu.