University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame
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Pal Sjulstad 1984 - Skiing
One of the top Nordic skiers on some of the best-ever UVM teams, Pal Sjulstad was a four-time All-American and won an individual NCAA championship. A 1994 Hall of Fame inductee, Sjulstad was only the third UVM cross country skier to win a national title when he won it all at Stowe in 1980. The previous two national champions were Hall of Famers Larry Damon '55 and Stan Dunklee '76. In addition to winning the individual title in 1980, Sjulstad was a member of three national championship relay teams.
He was awarded the coveted Seman's Trophy in 1983 for his outstanding leadership, loyalty and service to the University.
Sjulstad's UVM accomplishments are impressive indeed. In 1980, he won the 15-K national title, and was first in the relay with teammates Todd Kempainen and Rick Solie. In 1981, he was fifth in the 15-K event at the Nationals and first in the relay, this time with Kempainen and Jon Zdechlik. In 1982, Sjulstad was third in the 15-K while finishing third in the relay, with Zdechlik and Richard Weber. And in 1983, he was sixth in the 15-K and first in the relay, with Fred Thaulow and Todd Boonstra.
After graduating from UVM, Sjulstad stayed in Vermont for three years. During that time, he skied for the Rossignol marathon team, twice being the top male skier in the Great American Ski Chase. In 1986, Sjulstad returned to Norway, where he continued to ski. The 1987 season was his last as a serious skier, when he was second in the American Birkebeiner in Wisconsin, a tenth of a second behind Konrad Hallenbartner of Austria. From 1988 to 1992, Sjulstad worked for Rossignol, assisting skiers at World Cup and Olympic events.
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