The 1956 and 1957 Ski Teams will go down as the first great ski teams at Western State and maybe two of the greatest ever. Coached by WSC Hall of Famer Sven Wiik, the teams finished fourth at the National Championships both years and both years they were led by a power Cross Country squad that finished first at the Championships both years.
In 1956, the Mountaineers finished first in Cross Country, fifth in Slalom, Alpine and Nordic, seventh in Downhill and 10th in Jumping. The Mountaineers dominated the Cross Country events. Dick Mize finished second, followed by Walter Jackson (third) and John Burritt (seventh). Overall the team finished fourth with 531.58 combined points and trailed National Champ Denver, Dartmouth and Middlebury.
Like the year before, the 1957 team was a powerful force. Western again finished first in Cross Country, second in Nordic, fifth in Slalom and Alpine, sixth in Jumping and seventh in Downhill. Individually, Mack Miller won the Cross Country title, while Dick Mize finished third, Walter Jackson was fifth and Bill Purcell finished ninth. Overall, Western finished with 518.66 points, trailing National Champ Denver, Colorado and Dartmouth.
