Michigan Tech’s Bye headed to World Juniors

HOUGHTON, Mich. — Thomas Bye was 10th in the junior men’s 10-kilometer classic race and Ulrika Axelsson claimed 20th in the senior women’s 20K classic as Michigan Tech hosted the third day of racing at the U.S. National Championships today.

Paired with his results from earlier in the week, Bye has earned a spot on Team USA for the World Junior Championship in Kazakhstan next month. The Huskies’ freshman completed the course in 31:47.

Axelsson completed two circuits of the 10K loop in 1:14:24. She was the fourth collegiate athlete across the line. Two others gained top-35 finishes. Deedra Irwin was 33rd in 1:16:40. Alice Flanders raced to 35th place in 1:17:10.

Tech’s top finisher in the men’s senior 30K race was Thomas Kendrick, who was 48th in 1:40:07. David Joda was three spots back in 1:40:50.

“It was a another solid day for us here,” said Tech coach Joe Haggenmiller. “Bye did just enough to make the World Junior team, and I believe he’s the first Tech athlete to do that.

“I’m really proud of Ulrika and her results. To be among the top five college women in the event and to have three of our gals in the top 15 among college racers is very respectable.”

The 2015 U.S. Cross Country Championships will conclude on Saturday (Jan. 10) with freestyle sprints.

(Information/Photo Courtesy of MTU Athletics)