Hjelstuen and Axelsson Win CCSA Sprint Titles

CCSA Sprint & Relay Championship Sprint Results

DULUTH, Minn. — Michigan Tech had the overall champions in both sprint races at the Central Collegiate Ski Association Sprint & Relay Championships today. Haakon Hjelstuen and Ulrika Axelsson claimed titles as both Huskies teams had good showings.

Hjelstuen posted the top time (2:57) in the men's 1.5-kilometer qualifier, which saw five Huskies make the top 18 and advance to the heats. Hjelstuen won the preliminary heat then cruised to the title in the "A" final. Kyle Hanson and Sam Holmes were the third and fourth collegiate skiers in the event. David Joda won the "B" final and was sixth among collegians. Thomas Kendrick finished 11th.

Axelsson had a much closer race in the women's "A" final, making a move with 100 meters to go and holding on for the win. She had qualified sixth before taking first in her preliminary heat. Two other Huskies qualified for the heats in Lisa Konig and Carolyn Lucca. Both finished third in their prelims and skied in the "B" final, where Koenig got the win. The two finished seventh and ninth overall, giving Tech three in the top nine.

"It was a pretty fun day of racing," said Tech coach Joe Haggenmiller. "It was awesome having the champions in all four finals, and it was nice to see us bounce back after a tough day yesterday."

Michigan Tech will return to action next weekend with the CCSA Distance Championships in Minneapolis.