Lori O. Hays
208-426-3438

November 2, 2005

Aniya Deitz has joined the Boise State athletic department staff as assistant women's ski coach for cross country skiing. The Bronco ski team, under second year head coach and downhill coach Chris Hendrickson, added a small group of cross country skiers to the team last season (2004-05) and is ready to expand that component of the ski program this coming year. 2005-06 will mark the third season that Boise State will compete in the sport of women's skiing. Deitz began her duties at Boise State in August of 2005.

Originally from Wisconsin, Deitz graduated from Northern Michigan in 2004 where she competed on both, the cross country ski team and the cross country running team during her collegiate career. As a member of the Nordic team, she was a team captain, as well as an all-conference and all-region honoree. As a member of both teams, she was a member of the conference all-academic teams. Her cross country running team won the conference championship. She served on Northern Michigan's Student Athlete Advisory Council. She received the NMU Education Department's Outstanding Senior award.

She also had an impressive junior ski career, earning All-American status at the USSA Junior Nationals from 1997 through 2001. She was the 1997 Junior National Champion.

Deitz has two skiers to begin the cross country program. They have been rolling skiing along with other dry land training along the Boise River and in the foothills surrounding the valley this fall. The Bronco ski team has also developed a working relationship withthe Bogus Basin Ski Comp team to train withthat group of athletes as well.

"I have skied with Olympians and All-Americans, love the sport, and plan to develop a team that will compete with anyone." Deitz said.

She taught middle school in Marquette, Mich., before joining the Bronco staff. She is pursuing a master's degree while coaching at Boise State.

Nordic skiers interested in Boise State's newest athletic program should contact Coach Deits at [email protected].