Michigan Tech Nordic Skiing Opens US Nationals at Soldier Hollow
SOLDIER HOLLOW, Utah – The Michigan Tech men's and women's Nordic Skiing teams kicked off the US Nationals in Soldier Hollow, Utah on Saturday. It's was day one of a four-day event that will continue on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
"I thought both teams competed hard and we had some solid individual performances in today's free style races," Michigan Tech Head Coach Joe Haggenmiller said. "I thought Gaspard [Cuenot] had a great race with his finish in the 15k freestyle. He was one of the top collegiate competitors in today's field which was really big for our program. On the women's side, Sonja Hedblom finished in the top half of the field as she turned in a good race today for us. As a group we'll look forward to coming back tomorrow and improve on our results from today."
Gaspard Cuenot highlighted day one for Tech by placing 29th overall in the field of 306 racers. Cuenot crossed the line with a time of 36:53.9 and was just two minutes off the pace of Kyle Bratrud of CXC Team who won the race with a time of 34:52.0. Tom Bye followed Cuenot in 73rd place overall with a time of 38:34.8, David Jaszczak placed 144th with a time of 40:11.6, Dan Wood was 168th with a time of 40:57.5, and Tommy Mikkonen was 204th with a time of 41:43.2.
In the women's 10k freestyle, Sonja Hedblom was the top finisher for the Huskies after placing 120th out of the field of 248 racers, hitting the line with a time of 31:48.6. Carolyn Lucca competed hard as well and landed in 171st place by recording a time of 33:24.9. Lisa Koenig was 187th with a time of 33:53.2 and Ruth Oppliger was 235th with a time of 37:25.9 to round out the competitors for Tech on the women's side.
The Huskies will be back in action on Sunday in the Sprint events at Soldier Hollow.