Northern Michigan University’s Kjetil Baanerud posts ski win at Birkie CCSA race
Baanerud beat out a field more than 150 athletes by more than 20 seconds, clocking 27 minutes, 27.20 seconds.
The Wildcats turned in several runner-up performances in racing that was also conducted on Sunday.
Senior Vivian Hett was second on Sunday in the 10K women’s freestyle race in 26:10.40, while Baanerud was second in the men’s freestyle race in 34:25.90.
On Saturday, five NMU women made the top 10 in the 5K classic, with Hett third in 15:04.90, senior Kristen Bourne fourth in 15:07.10, Anikken Gjerde-Alnaes fifth in 15:12.60, junior Sarah Bezdicek sixth and freshman Julie Ensrud ninth.
In the men’s 10K Saturday, NMU sophomore Mathias Aas-Rolid was third in 27:50.40, sophomore Lars Soensterud fourth in 27:51.50, junior Leo Hipp eighth and freshman Daniel Streinz 10th.
Then on Sunday, Gjerde-Alnaes was third, Ensrud fourth, Bezdicek sixth and Bourne ninth in the women’s 10K that featured 100 skiers.
Among the men on Sunday, Soensterud was seventh in 24:50.80, Streinz eighth, Aas-Rolid ninth and Hipp 11th.
NMU will be at the Minnesota-Duluth CCSA race on Saturday for classic races and Sunday for freestyle events.
Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.