University of New Hampshire Athletics
Jasmine Lyons will be competing in the World Championships in Slovenia this week and next. (Flying Point Road photo)
Photo by: https://www.flyingpointroad.com
Insider Report: World Championships
2/23/2023 12:41:00 PM | UNH Insider, Skiing
Junior Jasmine Lyons Competing Against the World's Best in Slovenia
DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire junior Jasmine Lyons has established herself as one of the top collegiate cross country ski racers in the country and next month in the NCAA Division I Championships at Lake Placid she will be in the chase for All American honors and more.
But first, Lyons, who is also an outstanding student, is taking a little side trip.
While her UNH teammates and most of her competition in Lake Placid will compete next weekend in their last warmups for the NCAAs at the EISA Championships and NCAA East Regionals, also at Lake Placid, Lyons is tackling a different challenge.
She flew out of Logan Airport on Saturday night bound for Planica, Slovenia where she will compete in the FIS World Championships running Wednesday through Saturday, March 4 and showcasing the best skiers in the world.
It's the highest level of competition that Lyons – who is from Ottawa and turned 20 in November – has faced in her career.
"I have no results' expectations for World Championships," Lyons said. "Just go out there, work hard and get some experience."
Lyons is a racer on the rise.
She's the leader of a very deep UNH women's Nordic squad that also features senior Luci Anderson, junior Lea Stabaek Wenass, sophomore Beth Granstrom and freshman Hattie Barker among others.
Lyons went to Prince George, British Columbia in January for qualifying races for the Under-23 Championships and not only made the team for the Under-23 races, but surprised herself by doing so well that she was invited to the World Championships.
She had her eye on making the Under-23 team and knew that a racer that picked up a win in a trials race would qualify for the World Championships.
"I wasn't expecting it as much as I was for the Under-23s, so that was exciting," Lyons said. "I knew the criteria and if you win a race you're going. It was a mass start race and I'm racing and in the last kilometer I'm far enough ahead and I realize I'm going to win the race and I was, 'Oh, I guess I'm going to qualify. I was really excited, really grateful.' I had a lot of help along the way."
Lyons continues climbing in the sport.
"Being asked to go to the World Championships, especially for someone in college, is very rare," said UNH ski coordinator and head Nordic coach Cory Schwartz. "She'll be racing against the best in the world there. It's an opportunity for her to see what the competition is like and get a feel for the atmosphere. It's very good for her future. Making the World Championship team is the next step in her development."
Lyons made an impressive mark last year in the collegiate ranks.
At the NCAAs at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah, she finished eighth in the 5K classic race in the first day of cross country competition to earn second-team All American honors.
On the final day of competition she came on strong in the later stages of the 15K freestyle race and ended up in third place and made All American again, first team this time. The only skiers ahead of her were a pair of racers from the University of Utah, both of whom were just back from competing in the Beijing Olympics.
But first, Lyons, who is also an outstanding student, is taking a little side trip.
While her UNH teammates and most of her competition in Lake Placid will compete next weekend in their last warmups for the NCAAs at the EISA Championships and NCAA East Regionals, also at Lake Placid, Lyons is tackling a different challenge.
She flew out of Logan Airport on Saturday night bound for Planica, Slovenia where she will compete in the FIS World Championships running Wednesday through Saturday, March 4 and showcasing the best skiers in the world.
It's the highest level of competition that Lyons – who is from Ottawa and turned 20 in November – has faced in her career.
"I have no results' expectations for World Championships," Lyons said. "Just go out there, work hard and get some experience."
Lyons is a racer on the rise.
She's the leader of a very deep UNH women's Nordic squad that also features senior Luci Anderson, junior Lea Stabaek Wenass, sophomore Beth Granstrom and freshman Hattie Barker among others.
Lyons went to Prince George, British Columbia in January for qualifying races for the Under-23 Championships and not only made the team for the Under-23 races, but surprised herself by doing so well that she was invited to the World Championships.
She had her eye on making the Under-23 team and knew that a racer that picked up a win in a trials race would qualify for the World Championships.
"I wasn't expecting it as much as I was for the Under-23s, so that was exciting," Lyons said. "I knew the criteria and if you win a race you're going. It was a mass start race and I'm racing and in the last kilometer I'm far enough ahead and I realize I'm going to win the race and I was, 'Oh, I guess I'm going to qualify. I was really excited, really grateful.' I had a lot of help along the way."
Lyons continues climbing in the sport.
"Being asked to go to the World Championships, especially for someone in college, is very rare," said UNH ski coordinator and head Nordic coach Cory Schwartz. "She'll be racing against the best in the world there. It's an opportunity for her to see what the competition is like and get a feel for the atmosphere. It's very good for her future. Making the World Championship team is the next step in her development."
Lyons made an impressive mark last year in the collegiate ranks.
At the NCAAs at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah, she finished eighth in the 5K classic race in the first day of cross country competition to earn second-team All American honors.
On the final day of competition she came on strong in the later stages of the 15K freestyle race and ended up in third place and made All American again, first team this time. The only skiers ahead of her were a pair of racers from the University of Utah, both of whom were just back from competing in the Beijing Olympics.
Players Mentioned
Nordic
/ Skiing
Nordic
/ Skiing
Nordic
/ Skiing
Nordic
/ SkiingUNH Women's Soccer vs UMass Lowell Highlights 10 2 25
Friday, October 03
UNH Football vs Villanova Preview
Thursday, October 02
UNH Volleyball vs Bryant Highlights 10-1-25
Thursday, October 02
UNH Football vs UAlbany Highlights 9-27-25
Saturday, September 27