Lee Takes Seventh at Birkie; Others Race at NMU

NMU Invitational Freestyle Results: Women 5K | Men 10K
American Birkebeiner Results

HOUGHTON, Mich. — Michigan Tech had Nordic skiers at two separate events today—the NMU Invitational at Al Quaal in Ishpeming, Mich., and the American Birkebeiner in Hayward, Wis.

Tech's top athletes were in Ishpeming, skiing the same course that will be used for the NCAA Central Region Championship next week.

Alice Flanders was the Huskies' top female, completing the 5K freestyle in 16:32 for fourth place. Ulrika Axelsson was two spots back in sixth with a time of 16:58. Deedra Irwin was also in the top 10 with a 17:19 clocking for ninth.

The Tech men were paced by Haakon Hjelstuen's fourth place as he skied the 10K in 27:51. Kyle Hanson was one spot and six seconds back at 27:57. Thomas Kendrick also turned in a top 10 with a 28:59 for ninth.

At the Birkebeiner, Tech had several folks associated with the program had strong performances.

Andrea Lee, a redshirt on the women's team, finished seventh of 683 female entrants. She completed the 50-kilometer freestyle in 2:46:52.

In the men's 50K where there were nearly 3,000 competitors, Tech alums Karl Walczak and Milan Baic were 42nd and 43rd, respectively. Current assistant coach Andrew Joda was 118th.

Michigan Tech will return to action next weekend with the NCAA Central Region Championship. Races are scheduled for Feb. 28 and Mar. 1.