Feb. 20, 2008

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Sophomore Santi Ocariz and senior Ashley Pletcher, members of the Green Bay Nordic ski teams, both earned berths to compete at the 2008 NCAA Skiing Championships in Bozeman, Mont.

Ocariz was the lone representative for Green Bay last season, as the Spooner, Wis. native makes his second straight trip. Ocariz qualified as the eighth ranked skier in the Central Collegiate Ski Association. He also aims to improve on last season's results at the NCAAs, as he finished 35th in the 10K freestyle and 37th in the 20K classic.

This year's bid is the first-ever for Pletcher, as the Minnetona, Minn. native placed 12th in the CCSA standings to claim the final qualifying spot for the region.

The future looks bright for Green Bay skiing, as a pair of Phoenix skiers just missed in qualifying in 2008. On the men's side, junior Craig Hertz missed the final qualifying spot by six tenths of a point. For the women, freshman Carolyn Freeman ranked 15th in CCSA standings.

Competition for the Phoenix at the national championship begins March 5 with freestyle skiing events. Ocariz and Pletcher will then race in the classical event Friday, March 7. For more information, go to Montana State's NCAA Championship website at: http://www.msubobcats.com/ski_ncaa2.php