Kristina Strandberg
UNM ski coach Fredrik Landstedt and former head Ski Coach George Brooks agree on many things, but one is for sure – the induction of four-year, seven-time, NCAA All-American Kristina Strandberg into the UNM Athletic Hall of Honor. “Kristina was the type of athlete that every coach wants to have once in their career, highly motivated, highly intelligent, an outstanding team mate, and a delightful person,” Brooks stated.
Strandberg, a native from Sweden, was not heavily recruited to UNM. Although ranked as a top 20 racer in Sweden, Coach Landstedt commented, “She came to UNM without any top results and was not expected to be one of our top skiers her first year.” Kristina achieved otherwise. “She was a hard worker; she pushed herself harder than any Nordic skier I have even seen…she was highly motivated and an inspiration to other athletes who came to UNM…she was the 2000 NCAA Champion her freshman year!” Coach Landstedt bragged.
Strandberg’s athletic career at UNM was remarkable. She was a seven-time NCAA All-American all four years. In 2000, her freshman year, Kristina was the NCAA National Champion in the 15 km Classic Technique. She was a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient, a four-year all-conference skier in the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association (RMISA), and a four-year NCAA Ski Coaches All-American.
While still competing on the ski team in 2003, Kristina graduated with a Master of Science in Statistics. She was admitted into the PhD program in Statistics. While working on her PhD, Strandberg landed a spot on one of the best sponsor teams in the United States, the Factory Team (www.dreamofit.com). She decided to follow her dream and left her PhD studies before obtaining her doctorate. Kristina stated, “Skiing was taking up more and more time and finally it got too hard to combine studying on such a high level with elite skiing. Since athletes do have a “best before date” I figured it was time to go all out!” She quickly remarked, “I can always go back to school later.”
Strandberg now lives in Bend, Oregon and trains full time with the Cross Country Oregon crew. Last year she established herself as one of the strongest female skiers in the country, winning both long distance and sprint races. Strandberg won the U.S. Nationals in Fairbanks in March, but since she does not have a U.S. citizenship, she cannot call herself a US Champion. She also earned a spot on the World Cup last winter, racing for her native Sweden. Strandberg’s goal for this year is to race well enough at the World Cup to earn a spot on the Swedish Olympic Team.
Kristina organizes an Olympic ski event in Anchorage every spring. The event is aimed at children in general, but specifically children who might not be able to try skiing otherwise. The event includes free ski rental for those who need it, ski clinics, games and food. Strandberg stated, “It’s an opportunity for the kids to meet athletes of the highest national and international standard and watch video and pictures from the big [ski] races of the year.”
A quote from former head ski coach George Brooks sums it up, “To be a standout among a group of athletes who were all high achievers was quite a task. What Kristina brought to the table was maturity, leadership and an exceptional work ethic. She lead by example and did so always being positive and upbeat. A role model for athletes in all sports. Kristina Strandberg’s induction into the UNM Alumni Lettermen’s Athletic Hall of Honor exemplifies the high standards and qualities that the people inducted before her have possessed.”