German Skier Jonas Löffler Signs On With Alaska Nanooks

German Skier Jonas Löffler Signs On With Alaska Nanooks

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Alaska Nanooks men's and women's skiing and cross country coach Scott Jerome announced that Jonas Löffler (YO-nass LAHF-ler) has signed a National Letter of Intent for men's skiing and cross country. The St. Märgen, Germany native will enter the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the fall as a freshman with four years of running and skiing eligibility remaining.

A coach in Germany's Black Forrest brought Löffler to Jerome's attention a year ago, but it wasn't until he met with Löffler and his family this spring that he was solidified in Jerome's mind as a solid recruit.

"I was very impressed by Jonas' enthusiasm to combine his education and athletics," said Jerome. "It was obvious in my meeting with Jonas that he has a great deal of passion for the sport of skiing and is ready to take his training and racing to the next level."

Löffler, who will graduate from Robert Gerwig School this year, has been a multi-sport athlete in skiing and cross country since 2002 and a soccer midfielder since 2000.

As a skier he has captured gold medals at the German Junior National Championships in 2008 and 2010 as well as three silver medals from 2007-09. He was also the winner of the German Cup (series of races) in 2008 and 2009.

His junior racing career is highlighted by a top-15 finish at the Federation for International Skiing race in Goms, Switzerland, where he took 14th in the men's 10 kilometer classic technique event on December 5, 2010: good for his career-best single event outing and a stellar 50.56 FIS points.

"Jonas has been a solid junior (under 20 years of age) ski racer in Germany for several years," Jerome said. "He has a very good training background, which will serve him well in Fairbanks. I expect Jonas will make an immediate and positive impact on our ski team."

Löffler plans to pursue a degree in business management at UAF.

"He is a dedicated student and I am confident that he will make the most of the opportunities available to him at UAF," added Jerome.

He is the first recruit to sign with the Nanooks for the 2011-12 season.
Print Friendly Version
Related News