Posted: Jan 18, 2015

Tech Wraps Up Skiing at Telemark

CABLE, Wis. — The Michigan Tech Nordic skiing teams concluded their weekend of racing at Telemark Resort with Telemark Chase Freestyle races today.

Alice Flanders overcame a crash in the women's 10-kilometer event to finish second. The Huskies' senior had a significant lead before sliding off the course. She recovered to claim a time of 34:23, which was 12 seconds back of the winner and still 38 seconds ahead of third place.

Deedra Irwin capped a strong weekend by being the fourth collegiate racer across the line at 35:21. Ulrika Axelsson was 11th in 36:26, and Lisa Konig also skied well with an 37:24 time (18th).

Several of Tech's men experienced the same fate as Flanders with the snow conditions deteriorating in spots. Kyle Hanson was the Huskies' top finisher with an 11th-place showing in a time of 45:15. Haakon Hjelstuen was racing with the leaders but pulled out due to an injury he suffered the previous day.

Sam Holmes was 16th in a time of 46:33 on the 15K course. David Joda fell in his race, but continued to the finish in 20th (48:41). Thomas Kendrick was only one place and seven seconds back of Joda.

"It was exciting to see our women race so well this weekend," said Tech coach Joe Haggenmiller. "Alice showed today that her fitness is as good or better than last year.

"We were the victim of some bad luck today with all the crashes. The course was fast, but icy and rutted in places. We'll definitely have some athletes spending time in the training room this week trying to get healed up and ready to go for next weekend."

Michigan Tech will continue NCAA points races in St. Paul, Minn., on Jan. 24-25 as it participates in the Twin Cities Championships.