Colorado University Athletics
Gelso and Grevsgaard Race to CU Athlete of the Week Honors
January 20, 2009 | General, Skiing
BOULDER-- University of Colorado Skiers Matt Gelso (junior) and Maria Grevsgaard (senior), were named Athletes of the Week for the week of January 12-18. This is the first award of the season for both athletes. For Gelso it marks his third career honor, as for Grevsgaard this is now her skiing program record eighth honor, moving her past former teammate Lucie Zikova. This is the second week in a row where both winners hail from the ski team.
Gelso, a Truckee, Calif. (Truckee) native, won his second career race, his first since the second event of his freshman season, as he was timed over the 21k course in 53:38.8, in the Colorado Invitational. It was his fifth consecutive top three finish of the winter, as he took second in the earlier 10k race finishing with a time of 27:53.1. Gelso helped lead the Buffs to a come from behind team win after trailing the University of Denver going into the final day of competition.
Grevsgaard, a Geilo, Norway (Norges Toppidrettsgymnas) native, pulled off the Aspen sweep, winning both the 21k freestyle title and the 5k classical of CU's own Invitational. These two wins marked her 21st, and 22nd of her career adding to her own school all-time record. She finished the 21k course in a time of 1:01:16.3 finishing ahead of teammate Alexa Turzian by 1:28.7. Grevsgaard finished the 5k course with a leading time of 15:40.7.
Others nominated for this week's award were Cory Higgins (men's basketball), Ryan Campbell (men's track), Franziska Jendrian (tennis), and Dyamond Seay (women's track).
Men's Basketball: Cory Higgins, Sophomore, Danville, Calif.
Higgins averaged 16 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals a game in Colorado's 0-2 week of Big 12 play. Higgins scored 12 points and tied a career-best five assists at Missouri; then tallied a game-high 20 points in the CU's loss to Kansas in the conference home opener. Against KU, Higgins made all 12 of his free throws, the second time he has accomplished that feat (12-of-12 versus Coppin State). He now has made his last 18 free throws from the free throw line over the last two games.
Men's Track: Ryan Campbell, Senior, Littleton, Colo.
Campbell took top honors in the 200-meter dash. He crossed the line in 21.58 seconds to edge out runner-up Corey Nelson who came in at 21.71. Campbell also took third in the 60-meter dash after clocking a time of 6.84 at the Air Force All-Comers Meet on Friday night.
Tennis: Franziska Jendrian, Junior, Rodleben, Germany.
Jendrian won her 75th career singles and 66th doubles match during Colorado's 1-1 week as the Buffaloes opened the 2009 spring season. Jendrian recorded her 75th career singles win defeating Air Force's Tahlia Smoke, 6-3, 6-2 at the No. 4 slot. Jendrian now ranks tied for ninth all-time on CU's singles list. In doubles, she teamed with Melisa Esposito for an 8-4 win at No. 2 doubles tallying her 66th career doubles victory. The win places her in a three-way tie for second place all-time in school history with Jessica Vanderdys (2003-06) and Sandra Fischer (1996-99). She is three victories from tying Jessica Garrow for the top spot. CU is ranked No. 57th nationally defeated Air Force, 5-2 and lost to No. 26 LSU, 5-2 last weekend.
Women's Track: Dyamond Seay, Junior, DeSoto, Texas.
Seay led the CU women sprinters at the Air Force All-Comers Meet on Friday night. She finished the 400-meter dash with a time of 58.56 seconds and placed third overall.
