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University of New Hampshire Athletics
Blank Named USCSCA National Coach of the Year
4/10/2025 10:50:00 AM | Skiing
BOULDER, Colo. – University of New Hampshire head alpine coach Brian Blank has been named the National Alpine Coach of the Year by the United States Collegiate Ski Coaches Association (USCSCA), following a standout season that saw the Wildcats produce a national champion, multiple All-Americans, and a ninth-place team finish at the NCAA Championships.
"I'm incredibly honored to receive this award," Blank said. "There are so many amazing and hard-working coaches in NCAA skiing. I must give credit to the student-athletes on the ski team. They are the ones putting their blood, sweat and tears into every day. And without our assistant coach, Parker Acosta, this wouldn't have been possible."
Blank, in his 18th season with the Wildcats, guided a talented alpine unit that sent the full six student-athletes to the NCAA Championships, part of a program total of 11 competitors.
Under his leadership, freshman Jayden Buckrell (Collingwood, Ontario) became just the third individual national champion in program history by winning the NCAA men's slalom national championship with a time of 1:27.17. The victory earned him First Team All-America honors and led the Wildcats to a third-place team finish in the event.
Freshman Dasha Romanov (Thornton, Colo.) earned Second Team All-America recognition with a seventh-place finish in the giant slalom.
Over the course of the EISA Carnival season, Blank's alpine squad recorded 10 podium finishes. Junior Hedda Martelleur (Uppsala, Sweden) captured the EISA overall points title with 340 points, highlighted by slalom victories at the Saint Lawrence and Saint Michael's Carnivals. She opened the season with a third-place tie in the GS at Bates, followed by a second-place slalom finish, and was named EISA Alpine Skier of the Week on Jan. 12.
Buckrell, who was named EISA Alpine Skier of the Week on Feb. 3, joined Martelleur on the EISA All-East First Team, while junior Isac Hedstrom (Åre, Sweden) earned Second Team recognition.
This marks Blank's first career National Coach of the Year award from the USCSCA.
"I'm incredibly honored to receive this award," Blank said. "There are so many amazing and hard-working coaches in NCAA skiing. I must give credit to the student-athletes on the ski team. They are the ones putting their blood, sweat and tears into every day. And without our assistant coach, Parker Acosta, this wouldn't have been possible."
Blank, in his 18th season with the Wildcats, guided a talented alpine unit that sent the full six student-athletes to the NCAA Championships, part of a program total of 11 competitors.
Under his leadership, freshman Jayden Buckrell (Collingwood, Ontario) became just the third individual national champion in program history by winning the NCAA men's slalom national championship with a time of 1:27.17. The victory earned him First Team All-America honors and led the Wildcats to a third-place team finish in the event.
Freshman Dasha Romanov (Thornton, Colo.) earned Second Team All-America recognition with a seventh-place finish in the giant slalom.
Over the course of the EISA Carnival season, Blank's alpine squad recorded 10 podium finishes. Junior Hedda Martelleur (Uppsala, Sweden) captured the EISA overall points title with 340 points, highlighted by slalom victories at the Saint Lawrence and Saint Michael's Carnivals. She opened the season with a third-place tie in the GS at Bates, followed by a second-place slalom finish, and was named EISA Alpine Skier of the Week on Jan. 12.
Buckrell, who was named EISA Alpine Skier of the Week on Feb. 3, joined Martelleur on the EISA All-East First Team, while junior Isac Hedstrom (Åre, Sweden) earned Second Team recognition.
This marks Blank's first career National Coach of the Year award from the USCSCA.
Players Mentioned
Alpine
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Alpine
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Alpine
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