FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Gary Colliander
Minnesota Biathlon
[email protected]

June 22, 2001

 

2001-02 United States Junior National Biathlon Team Named, Bednarski Hired

The United States Biathlon Association has named the 2001-02 Junior National Team. The team selection was based on International performance and the Junior National Team points list using the top two of three races from the Junior National Championships in Fort Kent, ME in late February.

Cory Salmela, Duluth, MN, will begin his tenth year with the United States Biathlon Team as the Head Coach. Piotr Bednarski, St. Louis Park, MN, was hired as the U.S. Development Coach after 7 years as the Minneapolis Community Olympic Development Program's Biathlon Coach and Coordinator. Gary Colliander, Bloomington, MN, will replace Bednarski as CODP Coach.

Salmela will be responsible for elite junior development and international competition. Bednarski will focus on club development throughout the United States as well as coaches education, facility development, and coaching the Junior Development and C-Team. Salmela and Bednarski will work together closely in all areas of junior development.

The Junior National Team will most definitely miss it's two most successful athletes from the 2001 season. Lowell Bailey, Lake Placid, NY, will move to the Senior National Team after his Europa Cup victory and two bronze medals at the European Championships this season. Bill Snellman, Stillwater, MN, produced several top ten finishes in 2001, and proved to be a strong relay competitor. He will continue to train part-time with the Junior National Team. While Bailey and Snellman both graduated to the Senior ranks, the remainder of the 2001 team will all have two years left as junior competitors. 

NAME               HOMETOWN            2001 BEST RESULT 

A-Team: 
TREACY, Carolyn    Duluth, MN          7th place, Sprint: European Champs 
BARNES, Lanny      Durango, CO         8th place, Pursuit: European Champs 
BARNES, Tracy      Durango, CO         15th place Pursuit: European Champs 
BURKE, Tim         Paul Smiths, NY     7th place, Pursuit: European Champs 

B-Team: 
OSTHUS, Anders     Duluth, MN          25th place Pursuit: European Champs 

C-Team 
ELLINGSON, BethAnn Grand Rapids, MN    2 x 3rd place, U.S. Champs 
COOK, Annalies     Saranac Lake, NY    Silver Medal, Swedish Champs 
OLSEN, Brian       Bloomington, MN     Junior National Champion: 10 km 
RAY, Evan          St. Paul, MN        4th, Mass Start: Swedish Champs 
SHEPARD, Walter    Yarmouth, ME        Junior National Champion: 15 km 

Development Team: 
DEMARCHIS, Emilia  Burlington, VT      5th place, Mass Start: Swedish Champs 
NORDGREN, Sonne    Marine, MN          4th place, Sprint: U.S. Champs 
GADACZ, Chris      Elk River, MN       3rd place, Pursuit: U.S. Champs 
SCOTT, Steve       St. Paul, MN        5th place, Mass Start: Swedish Champs

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