Skiers Race in Classic Sprints at US Ski Championships
SOLDIER HOLLOW, Utah – The Northern Michigan University Nordic ski teams began competition at the 2013 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships on Wednesday (Jan. 2) with the classic sprint races on the Olympic trails at Soldier Hollow. Soldier Hollow was the cross country and biathlon venue for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
“We had a pretty good day,” NMU coach Sten Fjeldheim said. “It’s always a fun event here at U.S. Nationals and we hope to have a great week.”
The men sprinted 1.3 kilometers as senior Chris Bowler was the top finisher in 23rd place overall in 2:58.11, 9.09 second behind the first place skier. He was fifth in the men’s under 23 age group (MU23). Junior George Cartwright was just over 3:00 in 37th overall and 11th in MU23.
Junior Ben Hugus finished 64th (24th; MU23) while junior Erik Soderman was 73rd (30th; MU23). Sophomore Kyle Bratrud was 81st overall and 16th in the men’s under 19 age group (MOJ) and freshman Sam Elfstrom finished 103rd and 26th in MOJ.
The women sprinted the same course with junior Jordyn Ross finished 51st overall and 19th in the female’s under 23 age group (FU23). She finished in 3:43.81, 23.35 seconds behind first place. Sophomore Elizabeth Simak was 79th overall and 30th in FU23.
Freshman Hannah Boyer placed 84th overall and 19th in the female under 19 age group (FOJ). Freshman Mary Kate Cirelli placed 87th and 32nd in FU23. Junior Rosie Frankowski was 96th and 35th in FU23.
Felicia Gesior, a sophomore on the NMU women’s team who is redshirting, finished eighth overall and first in FOJ.
Action continues Friday at Soldier Hollow with individual start freestyle distance racing.
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