NMU skier, coach honored by CCSA

Courtesy of NMU Athletics

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Central Collegiate Ski Association announced Saturday that Northern Michigan University head Nordic Skiing coach Sten Fjeldheim was named the CCSA Coach of the Year for both the men’s and women’s squads. It was also announced that senior George Cartwright had been named the CCSA Skier of the Week following his performance at the NCAA Central Region Championships.

Fjeldheim earns coach of the year for the second straight season. In his 25th year of coaching, he led his team to a sweep at the CCSA Championships and the NCAA Central Region Championships as the Wildcats claimed the men’s, women’s and overall team titles at both events.

“It is a real honor to receive the CCSA Coach of the Year award for both the men’s and women’s team, especially since it is all of the CCSA coaches who vote on this award,” Fjeldheim said. “It’s a real big honor to be selected by a group of coaches who we compete against all season long.”

“Much of the credit goes to the NMU ski team athletes and the way that they have supported one another all season, not just with their racing, but also their fall dry-land training and respecting one another as individuals” added Fjeldheim. “The team has depth and talent and most of all a very competitive atmosphere exists within this group, they pushed one another during the intense training sessions all fall and were ready to train no matter what the weather was, rain, shine, sleet or storm”.

Cartwright placed fifth in the men’s classic race and took the top place in the freestyle race with a time of a time of 40:57.9 at the NCAA Central Region Championships last week. Cartwright’s contributions helped NMU to a regional team victory.

The Wildcats will return to action at the NCAA Championships in Midway, Utah, March 6 and 8.