Skiers Host Michigan Tech Season Opener

HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech Nordic ski teams opened the 2013-14 season with freestyle races on Saturday (Dec. 7) and classic races on Sunday (Dec. 8) at the Tech Trails. Team scores weren't kept. The weekend's events were initially scheduled for Marquette but icy conditions at the Blueberry Ridge Ski Trails moved them north.

"I thought our team skied pretty decent for the first races of the year," Tech coach Joe Haggenmiller said. "We have a lot of room to improve, but our top three on both sides skied well and have something to build on."

Lynn Duijndam finished fourth in the 5-kilometer freestyle on Saturday to lead the Black in Gold, crossing the line in 19:21. Alice Flanders was 10 seconds back in fifth place. Sarah Daniels (19:46) was seventh and Deedra Irwin (20:05) was 10th.

Lisa Koenig (11th), Rachel Mason (14th) and Erin Mathews (23rd) rounded out Tech skiers in the freestyle race.

In the men's 10K freestyle race, four Huskies finished in a pack, placing six through nine. Matt Wong led the group in 34:29. Kyle Hanson (34:47), Matt Dugan (35:28) and Jay Woodbeck (35:48) also skied together.

Thomas Kendrick (17th), Sam Holmes (18th) and David Joda (20th) wrapped up Tech skiers in the freestyle.

Daniels (18:46), Flanders (18:48) and Irwin (19:11) finished in spots seven through nine in the women's 5K classic on Sunday. Duijndam (11th), Koenig (12th) and Mason (15th) rounded out the top 15 for the Huskies, while Ruth Oppliger and Mathews also skied in the classic race.

Kendrick (33:29), Wong (33:36) and Dugan (33:58) finished seven, eight and nine in the men's 10K classic on Sunday. Hanson (11th), Woodbeck (13th), Joda (16th) and Holmes (17th) also finished in the top 20 to wrap up the weekend.

The Huskies continue competition at home for the second weekend (Dec. 14-15) in a row with freestyle races on Saturday and classic on Sunday.