Deneen, Treleaven FIS Rookies of the Year
PARK CITY, Utah (March 26) - Adding another mark of greatness to the success of the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team this season, Allison Treleaven (Fort Wayne, IN) and Pat Deneen (Cle Elum, WA) were named FIS World Cup Rookies of the Year.
Selection for the FIS World Cup Rookie of the Year award is made by coaches from international teams based on both performance and character.
"What these two athletes accomplished this year is a testament to their commitment to our program. And it's pretty cool that the international community of coaches acknowledges that with this honor," said Freestyle Program Director Polly-Jo Clark. "It will be fun to see how they continue to develop and grow in their athletic careers - they can achieve the highest of success if they continue to work hard."
In his first year on the national team and competing on the World Cup circuit, moguls skier Deneen kicked off the World Cup season with back to back third-place podium finishes in Lake Placid, NY, and rounded out the year with another World Cup third in Valmalenco, Italy.
"It's an incredible honor to be named rookie of the year. It's done by an international panel of coaches, and to be recognized by those who have been in the sport for so long is great," Deneen said. "It's really a once in a lifetime honor because you're only a rookie for one year, so I'm excited."
"Pat's really made a lot of fundamental changes with his skiing. He bought into the program and he made it happen," said U.S. Freestyle Head Coach Jeff Wintersteen. "He obviously has a really high natural talent and it just works for him."
Treleaven, an aerialist, tucked herself into the top 10 of her first World Cup event to get her season going in Lake Placid, NY.
"I was really excited when I found out I was named FIS World Cup Rookie of the Year. It's definitely an honor," Treleaven said. "This is my first year on the World Cup and being named was a great way to finish out my season."
"Allison did a great job this year, really worked hard this summer and she was able to carry it out onto the snow," Wintersteen said. "I am excited for both of them this next year looking at the World Championships in Inawashiro [Japan] and then, of course, Vancouver in 2010."
Deneen and Treleaven head next to the 2008 Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships in Park City, Utah March 27-30 where they will finish out an incredible season.
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