German Max Olex signs on to ski for Nanooks
July 13, 2012
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Alaska Nanooks men's skiing head coach and interim director of athletics Scott Jerome announced Tuesday that Max Olex of Aalen, Germany has signed a National Letter of Intent. He will join the Blue and Gold as a junior in the fall with two years of NCAA eligibility remaining.
"I am confident that Max will be a solid addition to our team both academically and athletically," Jerome said. "One of Max's close friends skis for (Central Collegiate Ski Association) rival Northern Michigan University. I know that Max will soon learn that beating our friends in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is one of our primary goals."
A 2008 graduate of Schubart Gymnasium in Aalen, Germany, Olex was the Senior State Champion in Baden-Württemberg in 2008 and 2010. He has recorded six Top-100 finishes at the International Skiing Federation Marathon Cup with several Top 10 and podium finishes in his young career. He landed a fifth place finish in 2009 at the Baden-Württemberg Team Sprint Cross Country Nationals as well.
His best career FIS points race was in Seefeld, Austria, where he crossed 28th in the 10 kilometer classical event earning 81.68 FIS points on March 13.
While skiing is Olex's main sport, he will also run cross country for the Nanooks. No stranger to managing his studies as a multi-sport athlete, Olex participated in handball, tennis and moutainbike racing around his skiing endeavours throughout his prep and career.
Academically, Olex has a head start towards achieving his goals for higher education. Jerome said, "Max is completing a bachelor's degree in Germany this summer. He is finishing this degree in three years. Obviously Max is a dedicated student who knows how to get the job done academically. Furthermore, Max has been able to stay in very good skiing shape during his rigorous academic pursuits.
He plans to further his education with courses in Northern Studies at UAF and would like to pursue a career in sports marketing, tourism or public relations.
Olex joins Michael Fehrenbach (Sankt Märgen, Germany) and Isaac Lammers (Eagle River, AK) as the third recruit to sign on to ski for Jerome and the Nanooks in 2012-13.