Montana State Sticks Close to Home in Nordic Ski Coach Hire
7/11/2014 10:30:00 AM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing, Skiing
Trygstad-Saari, who is presently serving as Elite/Post-Graduate Team Coach and Head Masters Ski Coach for BSF, honed her skills on the trails of Bohart Ranch in her youth.
Montana State didn't have to look far for its next Nordic ski coach. Kristina Trygstad-Saari, a 2002 Bozeman High graduate, Bridger Ski Foundation standout and Dartmouth coach, will take over the Bobcat program, announced MSU Director of Athletics Peter Fields, Friday morning.
Trygstad-Saari, who is presently serving as Elite/Post-Graduate Team Coach and Head Masters Ski Coach for BSF, honed her skills on the trails of Bohart Ranch in her youth. As a nationally ranked junior and senior cross country skier from 1999-2010, she was a nine-time Junior National Champion. Trygstad-Saari also finished sixth in the World Juniors; had 2001 World Cup starts; and was the 2002 National Junior Skier of the Year.
In addition, she was a member of the United States Development Ski Team from 2002-03 and was part of the World Championship qualifying squad.
"We're fortunate to live in one of the best ski towns in the United States," Fields said. "And, to be able to tap into our local community for our Nordic ski coach is exciting. Coach Trygstad-Saari has competed at the highest levels; raced and coached collegiately at Dartmouth; and knows the challenges of being a student-athlete. We feel she is a great fit for our program and look forward to her taking over the reins of the Bobcat Nordic program."
Trygstad-Saari served as interim men's Nordic coach at Dartmouth from Oct. 2012 – April 2013. She helped guide the Big Green to a No. 1 and 2 ranking throughout the season and saw two racers earn All-America status. As a member of the Dartmouth ski team from 2003-07, she was a 2006 NCAA team member and a first-team All-East performer.
""I'm really excited to be stepping up as the Head Nordic Coach and joining the Bobcat Athletics staff," Trygstad-Saari said. "I've followed this team for years, and I see tremendous potential. We have such a talented group of student-athletes, and I couldn't be more excited to help bring the team to the next level."
Trygstad-Saari earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Dartmouth in 2007 and is on course to complete a Master of Arts degree in English from Middlebury College in 2015.
Trygstad-Saari, who is presently serving as Elite/Post-Graduate Team Coach and Head Masters Ski Coach for BSF, honed her skills on the trails of Bohart Ranch in her youth. As a nationally ranked junior and senior cross country skier from 1999-2010, she was a nine-time Junior National Champion. Trygstad-Saari also finished sixth in the World Juniors; had 2001 World Cup starts; and was the 2002 National Junior Skier of the Year.
In addition, she was a member of the United States Development Ski Team from 2002-03 and was part of the World Championship qualifying squad.
"We're fortunate to live in one of the best ski towns in the United States," Fields said. "And, to be able to tap into our local community for our Nordic ski coach is exciting. Coach Trygstad-Saari has competed at the highest levels; raced and coached collegiately at Dartmouth; and knows the challenges of being a student-athlete. We feel she is a great fit for our program and look forward to her taking over the reins of the Bobcat Nordic program."
Trygstad-Saari served as interim men's Nordic coach at Dartmouth from Oct. 2012 – April 2013. She helped guide the Big Green to a No. 1 and 2 ranking throughout the season and saw two racers earn All-America status. As a member of the Dartmouth ski team from 2003-07, she was a 2006 NCAA team member and a first-team All-East performer.
""I'm really excited to be stepping up as the Head Nordic Coach and joining the Bobcat Athletics staff," Trygstad-Saari said. "I've followed this team for years, and I see tremendous potential. We have such a talented group of student-athletes, and I couldn't be more excited to help bring the team to the next level."
Trygstad-Saari earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Dartmouth in 2007 and is on course to complete a Master of Arts degree in English from Middlebury College in 2015.
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