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SALT LAKE CITY – All eyes on campus will be focused on the 2010 Olympic Games as 14 Westminster students head to Vancouver to compete for the “Gold” next month.  From snowboarding to freestyle skiing, the college will be cheering on these exceptional student-athletes who have been named to the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have 14 students named to this year’s team,” said Safia Keller, Westminster’s USSA-grant program liaison. “For a college that boasts just over 3,000 students, it’s quite an achievement to have so many phenomenal athletes here.”
One third of the 18-member 2010 U.S. Olympic Freestyle Ski Team is comprised of Westminster students. They include:
 
Lacy Schnoor (Aerials Women) – Westminster sophomore/marketing major; Hometown: Draper, Utah
Jana Lindsey (Aerials Women) – Westminster sophomore/communication major; Hometown: Blackhawk, South Dakota
Heather McPhie (Moguls Women) – Westminster junior; Hometown: Park City, Utah
Ryan St. Onge (Aerials Men) – Westminster sophomore/business major; Hometown: Winter Park, Colo.
Dylan Ferguson (Aerials Men) – Westminster sophomore; Hometown: Amesbury, Mass.
Bryon Wilson (Moguls Men) – Westminster freshman/art major; Hometown: Butte, Mont.
Westminster students named to the 2010 U.S. Olympic Cross Country Team are:
Liz Stephen (Women)  – Westminster freshman; Hometown: East Montepelier, Vt.
Torin Koos (Men) – Westminster Master of Professional Communication graduate; Hometown: Leavenworth, Wash.
Morgan Arritola (Women) – Westminster freshman; Hometown: Ketchum, Idaho
Westminster student named to the 2010 U.S. Olympic Snowboarding Team (Men):
Graham Watanabe – Westminster sophomore/business major; Hometown: Sun Valley, Idaho
Westminster student named to the 2010 U.S. Olympic Skeleton Team (Men):
Zach Lund – Westminster senior/aviation major; Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Westminster students named to the 2010 U.S. Olympic Alpine Ski Team (Women):
Megan McJames – Westminster freshman; Hometown: Park City, Utah
Kaylin Richardson – Westminster freshman; Hometown: Edina, Minn.
Leanne Smith – Westminster sophomore; Hometown: Conway, N.H.

Westminster has more than 35 U.S. Ski Team and U.S. Snowboarding athletes who attend the college through the Westminster/USSA grant program. Because Westminster believes in supporting athletes who want to pursue their athletic dreams as well as their academic endeavors, the program allows all A, B and C Team (USSA) athletes who qualify to attend the college tuition-free. Westminster’s U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association athletes study a variety of subjects at the college and have an average cumulative G.P.A of 3.65. These student-athletes must balance their rigorous training and competition schedules along with their academic courses.

“Because of the close proximity to the mountains and world-class training facilities, Westminster is really the ideal institution for these athletes to pursue their education,” explained Keller. “Our faculty and staff understand the dedication it takes to compete at their level and they work closely with these students to help them balance their tough schedules.”

Westminster has recently created a webpage for the campus and public to keep updated on progress of these amazing student-athletes. The page includes bios, press releases, photos, and other information, and can be found at www.westminstercollege.edu/olympic_hopefuls.

For more information on Westminster’s USSA grant program and interviews, please contact Krista DeAngelis at (801) 832-2682 or cell (801) 505-3213. Interviews with select athletes may be arranged if their schedules permit.

About Westminster:
Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college.  With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information visit www.westminstercollege.edu or follow @WestminsterSLC or @WestminsterPR on Twitter.

Krista DeAngelis (801) 832-2682, kdeangelis@westminstercollege.edu