Rosie Brennan of Anchorage was named our Alaska Athlete of the Week after her 4th place finish in the Olympic Nordic sprint.
Brennan’s performance was one of the best individual finishes by an American in Olympic history, second only to USA teammate Jessica Diggins, who finished just ahead in the sprint to earn the bronze medal.
Brennan, who trains with the APU Nordic Ski Team in Anchorage, overcame a crash at the start of the quarterfinal round left her in a seemingly insurmountable hole given the short course that takes about three minutes to finish. But she dug deep, regained the pack, and finished second in the heat to advance.
Long regarded as one of America’s top distance skiers, the 33 year old Utah transplant has developed in recent years into one of the top cross-country sprinters in the world.
Brennan, 33, was named the 2021 Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Pride of Alaska winner, an award presented to the state’s top female athlete annually.
The Alaska Athlete of the Week is selected by a panel each Monday.
Have a candidate in mind? Email us your nomination: info@alaskasportshall.org.
Also receiving votes: Tristan Bernsten, Hazel Fuhs, Brenden Gregory, Ruby Lindquist, Tennae Voliva, Travante Williams
Featured photo taken by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images