Huskies win MTU Invite at Tech Trails
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech Nordic ski teams hosted the CCSA MTU Invite and GLD CXC Cup at the Tech Trails, and the squads combined for a team title. The women's team won both days, and the men won the skate and placed second in the classic.
"That was one heck of a weekend of racing from our student-athletes," Tech coach Tom Monahan Smith said. "We won the combined team title for the first time in years, and did so in commanding fashion with both the men's and women's team winning the race day on Saturday, and the women sweeping the podium today going 1, 2, 3!"
In Saturday's 10K individual start skate, Anabel Needham took the individual title for the second week in a row, crossing the line in 30:47.7. Teammate Henriette Semb was less than a minute behind and placed second for the second straight freestyle race.
Olivia Laven (5th) and Nea Katajala (8th) were also in the top 10 on Saturday. Ingrid Halverson placed second in the U20 class, and Alice McKnight was third in U20.
Colin Freed and Skylar Patten were on the podium in Saturday's men's 15K skate, placing second and third. For Patten, it was his second straight weekend on the podium in the skate.
Félix Cottet-Puinel was 27 seconds back in fourth place, while Henry Snider also had a top 10 in sixth. Jasper Johnston placed third in U20.
Henriette Semb won her second straight classic title in Sunday's 5K individual start in 16:43.7. The Huskies swept the podium by over 18 seconds with Anabel Needham in second and Nea Katajala in third.
Marie Sølverud Wangen (6th), Olivia Laven (7th), and Oda Hovland (8th) continued the Huskies' dominance with top 10 finishes in the classic.
Skylar Patten led Tech in the men's 10K classic in fourth Sunday. Henry Snider (6th), Mark Ousdigian (7th), and Félix Cottet-Puinel (10th) were also in the top 10. Colin Freed was 11th overall and first in U20, while Jasper Johnston was second in U20.
"This weekend we focused on giving our absolute best race efforts, as that is truly what it means to win," Monahan Smith added. "We couldn't be prouder of this team for the efforts they laid out on the race courses this weekend! They truly earned this team win, and nothing is more fun than achieving your goals as a team!
"We host truly the most well-run ski race events, and that is something our community takes so much pride in and our program is so grateful for!
"We continue to be truly inspired by our community of skiers, who through the selfless and loyal support of the 50 volunteers made this weekend possible, and make our home weekend truly the most fun race weekend we get to compete in through the entire season!
"On behalf of all the Nordic Huskies, thank you for the outpouring of support we received from our volunteers to host this home race weekend!"
The Huskies have next weekend off before traveling to Ishpeming for the CCSA Championship on February 12-13.
MTU Invite Team Scores
|
Women |
Skate |
Place |
|
Classic |
Place |
|
Overall |
Place |
|
Tech |
70 |
1 |
|
72 |
1 |
|
142 |
1 |
|
NMU |
65 |
2 |
|
60 |
2 |
|
125 |
2 |
|
CSS |
44 |
3 |
|
47 |
3 |
|
91 |
3 |
|
STO |
25 |
4 |
|
30 |
4 |
|
55 |
4 |
|
SCSU |
22 |
5 |
|
20 |
5 |
|
42 |
5 |
|
UWGB |
0 |
6 |
|
0 |
6 |
|
6 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Men |
Skate |
Place |
|
Classic |
Place |
|
Overall |
Place |
|
NMU |
62 |
2 |
|
70 |
1 |
|
132 |
1 |
|
Tech |
69 |
1 |
|
61 |
2 |
|
130 |
2 |
|
CSS |
45 |
3 |
|
53 |
3 |
|
98 |
3 |
|
UWGB |
37 |
4 |
|
27 |
4 |
|
64 |
4 |
|
STO |
25 |
5 |
|
19 |
5 |
|
44 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COED |
Points |
Place |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tech |
272 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NMU |
257 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CSS |
189 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STO |
99 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UWGB |
74 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SCSU |
42 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
