Patten Paces to US National Podium on Day One of U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships
HOUGHTON, Mich. – Junior Skylar Patten made the US National podium with a bronze finish in the men's freestyle 10k interval start to highlight the first day of the 2023 U.S. Cross Country Ski Nationals presented by Hampton Inn & Suites at the Tech Trails in Houghton, Michigan, on Monday.
Today also counted as a CCSA Invite as the Huskies rolled to another combined team win. The women swept the podium as Anabel Needham claimed gold, with Henriette Semb and Olivia Laven taking silver and bronze. On the men's side, Patten and Colin Freed went 1-2.
Of note, the men had seven in the top-10 following the two podium finishers.
"Today was one of the most special days in the history of the Michigan Tech Nordic Ski team," head coach Tom Monahan Smith and assistant coach Kristen Monahan Smith said. "Skylar knows how to give his best races on the biggest stage and for him to have the best result of his career so far here at home, on the Michigan Tech trails was incredibly special."
Although Patten had finished his race, he was not done for the day.
"What's equally incredible is minutes after he finished, Skylar was out on the course cheering on his fellow teammates to the finish line! He's become such an empowering teammate and he shows just how much individual success is team success," Monahan Smith added. "Skylar's US Nationals podium was celebrated by the entire team today, the genuine happiness from every team member for Skylar was so special. It was an incredible day to be a Husky!
The Park City, Utah, native clocked in at 25:07.6 to seal his spot as fourth overall.
"I am honestly pretty astonished," Patten said, "I was nervous coming into the race but I know how to ski our home course very well so I just focused on that and the positives. Being around my teammates before the race raised my spirits and confidence to go out and have a good race."
The women's freestyle 10k interval start kindled the event, with Houghton native Anabel Needham leading the way for the Huskies with her 26th place finish (30:03.1). Following Needham was Henriette Semb (30:21.9) and Olivia Laven (30:25.2) who placed 30th and 32nd, respectively.
Laven picked up eight spots from the first last to the second last.
Freshman Cat Stow executed a similar race, moving up seven positions in the second lap to place 56th in the field (31:31.8). Her performance also placed her sixth among the CCSA field.
Following the eye-opening performance from Patten, the next Huskies through the finish was Colin Freed, placing 15th overall (25:53.9). Two additional Huskies were top-40 with Tryg Solberg (26:44.8) and Henry Snider (26:47.4) placing 35th and 38th, respectively.
"The conditions were perfect and fair for all competitors and the races went off seamlessly which is just what you want to see for a National Championship event," Monahan Smith added. "The support and encouragement we received from all the volunteers and parents motivated the Nordic Huskies beyond words and we are so grateful for all of you.
With Tuesday being an official training day, the Huskies will look to Wednesday to compete in the classic sprint. The men will start the day with the qualifying round, taking place at 9:30 a.m. with the women's qualifying round following at 10:35 a.m.