Ghent Named WhiteWave Homegrown Hero

BOULDERGÇôUniversity of Colorado Alpine Skier Erika Ghent has been selected as this weekGÇÖs recipient in the UniversityGÇÖs partnership with WhiteWave to recognize ColoradoGÇÖs Homegrown Heroes.

Ghent is in the midst of her senior season as a Buff, after completing another strong season in 2011. As a junior, Ghent recorded nine top 10 finishes, including two All-America performances, helping the Buffaloes to the National Championship. She ended her season on a streak of seven straight top-10 finishes, while also competing in the World University games, where she won the gold for best overall alpine performance while skiing for the United States.

Erika has started off with another strong season in 2012, placing in the top-5 in all four races she has finished. She has seen the podium three times, and stood atop it in the giant slalom race at the University of Colorado Spencer James Nelson Memorial Invitational at the beginning of January.

She has had 29 finishes in three seasons as a Buff, including 25 top 20 finishes, 21 top 10 finishes, seven podium appearances and two wins. She has been recognized as a three-time All-American and two-time All-RMISA skier during her career at CU.

Ghent grew up in Edwards, Colorado where she went to Battle Mountain High School. On top of skiing for various club teams, Erika excelled in cross country and soccer at her high school. She led her cross country team to the State Championship in 2005. Individually, she was a regional champion in 2005 and earned a pair of top 10 finishes at the state championships in 2004 and 2006. She also still holds the school record for the 5K, which she set in 2004 with a time of 18:38.

Erika also excels off the mountain as an International Affairs major at CU. She earned a Division I All-Academic stature as a freshman for maintaining above a 3.5 GPA and was an Academic All-State selection in both soccer and cross country at her high school. She is also a lifetime member of the National Honors Society.

About WhiteWave Foods

The mission of WhiteWave Foods is to be the Earth's favorite food company, by creating nutritious, innovative, responsibly-produced foods that nurture people and the planet. WhiteWave brands include Horizon(r), the leading national organic dairy brand; and Silk(r), the national category leader in natural and organic plant-based beverages, including Silk(r) Soymilk, Silk(r) Pure Almond and Silk(r) Pure Coconut. WhiteWave also makes International Delight(r), the nation's leading provider of flavored, liquid non-dairy creamers and LAND O LAKES(r)* liquid dairy products, including America's number one nationally branded Half & Half and Fat Free Half & Half. Based in Colorado, WhiteWave is committed to sustainability, from encouraging the use of renewable energy to reducing waste, water use and greenhouse gas emissions at its farms, plants and offices. For more information, visit WhiteWave online at www.whitewavefoods.com, explore the WhiteWave blog at www.thegrazingmind.com, or follow WhiteWave on Facebook and Twitter.

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