PARK CITY, Utah – Adam Martin of Northern Michigan University finished second in the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s (USSA) Grand Champion race.

The Wildcat junior compiled 130 points based on his performance at the U.S. Cross Country Championships in January and the U.S. Long Distance Championships in March.

He finished 18 points behind Eric Packer, who competes for the APU Nordic Ski Team.

“To finish second in the Grand Champion points list is really fantastic. It shows how well Adam consistently skied all year,” NMU head coach Sten Fjeldheim said.

“I know this will put him on the U.S. Ski Team’s radar.

“I hope he gets invited to some national team training camps because he has shown all season long he can race with the very best skiers in the nation.”

Martin opened the season by placing third overall – and second among American skiers – in the 15K classic race with a time of 40:47.0 at the U.S. Cross Country Championships.

He later added a fourth-place finish (1:20.48.5) in the 30K freestyle and a seventh-place performance in the classic sprint to his resume.

Martin capped a season that also saw him earn All-American laurels in the 10K freestyle (4th, 22:35.2) and 20K classic (5th, 50:39.7) at the NCAA National Championships with a strong showing in the 50K classic at the U.S. Long Distance Championships.

Martin finished ninth in that event, the longest of the season, with a time of 2:53:45.5.

He was the second collegian to cross the line and one of only 13 skiers in an elite field of 72 to complete the course in less than three hours.

“The national team and future Olympic teams are in his sights,” Fjeldheim said. “I believe Adam can compete in the international arena with more experience and training.

“He’s destined to be one of our top distance skiers in the future.”

In the men’s Grand Champion race, Northern’s Fredrik Schwencke (t-17th, 50), Jake Brown (25th, 30) and Ian Torchia (t-26th, 28) also made the top 30 in a field of 80.

On the women’s side, Wildcats Vivian Hett (t-21st, 30), Felicia Gesior (26th, 26), Sarah Bezdicek (t-30th, 20) and Sophie Schimpl (t-30th, 20) all cracked the top 30 in a field of 88.

Information compiled by Senior Sports Writer Craig Remsburg. He can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 251, or via email at cremsburg@miningjournal.net.