Location: Green Bay, Wisc.
Head coach: Butch Reimer, 14th season
Assistant coaches: Nate Balk (1st year) and Ashley Pletcher (1st year)
Top male returners: Sr. Santi Ocariz, Jr. Nick Maki
Top female returners: Jr.. Carolyn Freeman, Jr.. Lindsey Marshall
Web site: www.uwgbathletics.cstv.com
2008-09 standings: Central Region: 3rd (Men), 4th (Women); NCAA: 19th

2009-10 outlook: Wisconsin-Green Bay, the only Division I school in the CCSA, could see a banner year in 2009-10. After successful seasons on both the men’s and women’s squads last winter, many of the top Phoenix are still around. On the men’s side, Santiago Ocariz looks to qualify for his 4th NCAA championships and, beyond that, establish himself as a top men’s skier in the CCSA as well as nationally. Ocariz was the 4th CCSA qualifier for last year’s NCAA’s, but already this year has shown he can mix it up with the nation’s best. His top-20 results in both the classic and freestyle distance races were the top results from any collegiate skier in the country, and the Spooner, Wisconsin native has “started the season just the way I had hoped,” says coach Butch Reimer. “I want him to ski strong every race and to build toward NCAA’s.
Supporting Ocariz on the men’s team will be junior Nick Maki, for whom Reimer has high hopes. “Nick took a big step in the right direction and is skiing well in the early races,” he said. Senior Justin Young and Kyle Fredrickson, a sophomore who sat out last semester, could also contend for a top spot on the Phoenix, said Reimer. “Justin will add depth to the men’s team and Kyle will be welcome back.” Reimer added that Steve Gromataka is a first-year who has shown promise.
On the women’s side, the junior tandem of Carolyn Freeman and Lindsey Marshall should lead the Phoenix. “I expect the two to ski very well and to lead our women’s team,” Reimer said. Freeman, who was an NCAA qualifier last year, hopes to contend for a spot again this year. “It will be a battle because of only 7 spots and there are great skiers on the women’s side. Lindsey will also be in the hunt.” Sophomores Annie Demhlow and Brittany Drengler should fill in behind the Phoenix top two.
“Our goals are for the team to get better and for our region to do well at NCAA’s. We have great programs in the CCSA and great coaching. We just need to ski faster at NCAA’s.”

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