Tech Skiers Race Freestyle at Michigan Tech Challenge
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech Nordic ski team hosted the freestyle races of the Michigan Tech Challenge on Saturday (Dec. 14) afternoon from the Tech Trails. Team scores weren't recorded.
"Everyone was out there putting their training to good use," Tech Nordic ski coach Joe Haggenmiller said. "We skied better today than we did last weekend in the skate, and that's the plan to keep improving every week."
The women's team had three skiers in the top 10 in the 10-kilometer race. Alice Flanders led the Huskies in third place with a time of 33:58. Lisa Koenig (35:16) was sixth and Sarah Daniels (35:33) finished ninth.
"Alice had a good day," said Haggenmiller. "It was exciting to see her mixing it up with some very good Northern skiers. Lisa bounced back from last week and looked smooth, and Sarah was working hard and hung on for a good result."
Deedra Irwin (11th), Lynn Duijndam (14th) and Rachel Mason (18th) were also in the top 20 for the Black and Gold. Ruth Oppliger and Erin Mathews also skied for Tech.
Matt Wong led the men's team in the 15K freestyle. He finished in seventh place with a time of 44:28. Kyle Hanson (45:01) and Matt Dugan (45:11) were 10 seconds apart in ninth and 10th place. Jay Woodbeck (45:39) was 12th.
"Northern's top three or four men are the cream of the crop in the country so we ski against the best competition every race," Haggenmiller said. "Matt had a really good day and improved as the race went on. Kyle and Matt were very competitive as well."
Thomas Kendrick (21st), Sam Holmes (25th) and David Joda (28th) also raced for the Huskies.
"The conditions were fantastic today," added Haggenmiller. "We finally had a day or two where it hasn't been snowing 4-6 inches. It was cold out there but the course was well packed."
The Huskies will ski in the classic on Sunday (Dec. 15). The men's race begins at 11 a.m.