Franz Bernstein, a sophomore majoring in engineering management in the UVM College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, has been named one of the UVM Athletes of the Week for March 16, 2010. Bernstein outdueled New Mexico's Martin Kaas in the stretch run to win the NCAA National Championship in the men's 20k freestyle at Howelsen Hill in Colorado this past week. On the final day of the Competition (March 14, 2010) Bernstein finished with a time of 49:19.7 and edged Kaas by 1.2 seconds.

"Winning the NCAA National Championship is truly wonderful!" says Bernstein. "Even when I saw I had only seconds towards the end, I pushed on because I knew one of my strengths was sprinting well; and that made all the difference!"

Vermont sent 10 skiers to the 57th NCAA Ski Championships hosted by Colorado in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Highlights of the skiing championships will be shown on CBS at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 1.

Originally from Unterthingau, Germany, Bernstein has gained recognition at UVM for his skills and talents on the slope. He is the first Catamount to win a national championship in the freestyle since Vermont Hall of Famer Thorodd Bakken '98 capped off a string of three straight titles in the freestyle in 1998.

In 2010 Bernstein was the lone qualifier for the men's Nordic team. To read Bernstein's profile, visit the web site UVM Sports. UVM will host the NCAA Ski championships in 2011.

To keep up-to-date on the latest information concerning your favorite Catamount team visit: UVMathletics.com.