Huskies Complete Day Two of U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships

HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech teams completed the classic sprint day of the 2023 U.S. Cross Country Ski Nationals presented by Hampton Inn & Suites at the Tech Trails in Houghton, Michigan, on Wednesday.

The Huskies had two top-20 finishes with Anabel Needham placing 14th overall and Adam Witkowski earning an 18th-place finish. 

"We had a solid day of qualifying with Anabel in 14th (10th American) Adam in 18th (11th American) and Jasper (6th junior) all making it into the quarter finals," head coach Tom Monahan Smith said. "Today was as challenging as it gets with the temperatures right around freezing and a wintery mix." 

Senior Adam Witkowski placed 18th in a field of over 240 athletes with his effort of 2:56.06, the Victor, New York, native placed eighth among the U23 field and was the 11th American to finish.

Jasper Johnston was the second Husky to finish, placing 53rd overall and sixth in the juniors race (3:02.89).

Cedric Keller was the third finisher for the Black & Gold, placing 65th in the race, clocking a time of 3:03.70.

In the women's race, Houghton native Anabel Needham qualified for the quarter final, placing fifth in the heat with a time of 3:38.61. Overall 10th American 14th in the U23 field with her time of 3:30.00 in the opening round of the classic sprint.

Henriette Semb was just outside the top-40 finishers in a field of 182 athletes, with her time of 3:40.47.

"The quarter finals didn't pan out for us, but we're proud of our student-athletes for holding their heads high and showing the maturity to still be out there supporting teammates in the heats," Monahan Smith added. "Now we set our sights on the classic mass start races on Friday."

The Huskies will take Thursday as an official training day before returning to the races on Friday. The men's classic mass start (20km) will be the first event of the day, taking place at 9:30 a.m., followed by the women's classic mass start (20km) at 11:15 a.m.