Witkowski Places Eighth in Freestyle Sprint as Huskies Conclude U.S. Cross Country Ski National Championships
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech Nordic Ski team completed the freestyle sprint on the final day of the 2023 U.S. Cross Country Ski National Championships presented by Hampton Inn & Suites at the Tech Trails in Houghton, Michigan, on Saturday.
Senior Adam Witkowski placed eighth overall in the men's freestyle sprint, while freshman Cat Stow made the U.S. junior national podium with a bronze finish.
"What a phenomenal last day of racing for the U.S. Cross Country Ski National Championships," head coach Tom Monahan Smith and assistant coach Kristen Monahan Smith said. "This was our strongest day for the team overall, and to have our best day at the end of this huge week of racing shows just how incredible our student-athletes are."
Witkowski impressed in the qualifying round posting the fastest time amongst a field of 161 athletes with his time of 2:27.02.
"Going into the final, I was really confident on this course because I've skied this course many times," Witkowski said. "I knew where I should be at all times and where to push to get the fastest time out of it."
He went on to win quarterfinal heat one to advance to the semifinals before concluding his day after placing fourth in the semifinal and eighth overall and second among the U23 field.
"Adam proved he can ski faster than anyone in the country today, and we are so happy for him to have such an amazing day in a championship event," Monahan Smith added.
Stow advanced to the quarterfinals of the women's freestyle sprint, before finishing 24th overall and the third junior finisher to make the podium.
"It was fun to be in a big kid's race," Stow said. "It was pretty cool to have a good race today after not having the best week of racing. It was definitely in my sights today (to make the U.S. junior national podium)."
The coaching staff was pleased by her performance after she beat out her competitor in the last 50 meters of the race in the quarterfinal.
"Cat was on fire today, and that is such an incredible achievement to get on that podium," Monahan Smith mentioned.
Houghtons very own Anabel Needham was also in the women's freestyle sprint, qualifying in ninth, prior to finishing 16th overall.
"Anabel earned a U23 World Championship selection with today's result, and what a way to finish these Championships for her at home," Monahan Smith added.
Félix Cottet-Puinel also stood out in the men's freestyle sprint, finishing 25th overall, finishing in fifth in the fourth heat of the quarterfinal, crossing the finish line in 2:30.79.
"Felix has been sprinting so well and it was just awesome to see him make it into the quarterfinals and lead that race into the last lap," Monahan Smith commented.
A pack of Huskies finished incredibly close to one another, with Parker Courte-Rathwell (2:34.94), Skylar Patten (2:34.98) and Tryg Solberg (2:35.04) placing 40th, 41st and 42nd, respectively.
Wes Campbell and Jasper Johnston were contenders in the junior freestyle sprint, with Campbell qualifying for the final on time. Johnston finished fifth in the second semifinal heat.
Campbell finished fifth in the junior freestyle sprint with a time of 2:33.72 after qualifying for the junior heats in 12th.
"We are so inspired by the way Wes races," said Monahan Smith. "He is so brave and bold and absolutely went for the win today, leaving nothing on the course."
Today's racing concludes the 2023 U.S. Cross Country Ski National Championships presented by Hampton Inn & Suites.
"Thank you to everyone for a truly amazing week of racing! Our Race Organizers and all the volunteers provided the absolute best Championship event, and for that, all the athletes and coaches are so incredibly grateful and thankful," Tom & Kristin added. "It is an honor and a pleasure to be a part of such an incredible ski community!"
The Huskies return to action on Jan. 14-15 at the Seely Hills SuperTour/CCSA Invite in Cable, Wisconsin.
Of note, Witkowski, Needham and Henriette Semb will be competing in the FISU World University Games in Lake Placid, New York, taking place Jan. 12-22.