ISHPEMING — Northern Michigan University skiers swept Michigan Tech to open their seasons on Saturday and Sunday in the NMU Open held at the Al Quaal Recreation Area in Ishpeming.

The Wildcat men doubled up Tech 14-7 while the NMU women won a closer 12-9 decision.

Both teams will be in Houghton this weekend at the Michigan Tech CXC Cup for their last competition before the Christmas holidays. A number of Wildcats return to Houghton soon after the new year, though, for the U.S. National Championships on Jan. 2-3.

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Baanerud leads NMU men

Junior Kjetil Baanerud won the men’s classic race on Sunday in 27 minutes, 12.6 seconds with senior teammate Mathias Aas-Rolid second in 28:02 and freshman teammate Maurus Grond fifth in 28:25.1.

Also cracking the top 10 for Northern were freshman Tobias Moosmann in seventh, freshman Matt Bourne eighth and junior Xavier Mansfield 10th.

On Saturday, Baanerud again paced the Wildcats in the men’s freestyle with a runner-up time of 38:58.0. Aas-Rolid was fifth in 40:38.3, Moosmann sixth in 40:51.1, Grond seventh in 41:06.4 and Mansfield 10th in 41:27.6.

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Eide, Boerjesjoe lead women

Wildcat freshmen won races each day, with Hilde Eide taking the women’s classic race Sunday in 15:38.1 and Mailin Boerjesjoe taking the women’s freestyle on Saturday in 31:13.3.

Also on Sunday, Boerjesjoe was runner-up in 15:39.8 as NMU freshman Molly Miller, sophomore Nadine Matter and freshman Paulien Fonen all cracked the top 10.

On Saturday, Northern was particularly strong with five Wildcats making the top six — Miller was third in 31:39.9, Eide fourth in 31:42.9, sophomore Savanna Fassio fifth in 31:45.0 and sophomore Katerina Hyncicova sixth in 32:32.1. Matter finished 10th in 33:24.3.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.