NMU skiers dominate races at Al Quaal

MARQUETTE – The Northern Michigan University Nordic skiing team swept the podium in the women’s 5K freestyle and the men’s 10K freestyle races at the UP Invitational at Al Quaal Saturday.

The race was the final tuneup for the NCAA Regionals which NMU will host Feb. 28 – March 1 which will also be held at Al Quaal.

NMU senior Jordyn Ross won the women’s 5K clocking a time of 15:45.1 just ahead of Wildcat junior Felicia Gesior finishing in a time of 16:00.8. NMU sophomore Kristen Bourne rounded out the top three clocking a time of 16:16.2.

NMU freshman Vera Gruber finished fifth with a time of 16:33.3 just ahead of sophomore Megan Edic who crossed at 16:59.6 and freshman Rebekka Schueder who finished in 17:17.5.

On the men’s side NMU senior Erik Soderman won the men’s race in a time of 25:48.1. NMU sophomore Adam Martin crossed 34.4 seconds later to finish in second place (26:22.5) before NMU freshman Ian Torchia who finished third at 26:41.1.

NMU sophomore Krystof Kopal rounded out the Wildcats contingent in seventh place clocking a time of 28:07.3.

NMU was scheduled to host a classic race on Sunday, but due to low temperatures the race has been canceled.

(Information/Photo Courtesy of NMU Athletics)