NMU’s Martin 3rd at U.S. Cross Country Championships skiing
HOUGHTON – Adam Martin of Northern Michigan University placed third overall, and second among American skiers, in the 15-kilometer classic race at the opening day of the U.S. Cross Country Championships held in Houghton on Sunday.
“We’re super excited for Adam,” head coach Sten Fjeldheim said. “He trained great … We’re very proud of him and all his accomplishments.”
Martin completed the course in 40 minutes, 47.0 seconds. He was one of only two collegiate athletes to finish in the top 20 in a field of 207 that started the race, and he was joined by teammate Ian Torchia, who took seventh in 41:14.2.
The race was won by American Scott Patterson of the APU Nordic Ski Center in 40:26.4.
NMU’s Fredrik Schwencke was 21st, in 41:54.6, while Jake Brown was 29th in 42:43.7 and Sam Elfstrom 31st in 42:46.1.
Other finishers from NMU included Krystof Kopal in 69th in 44:44.9, and Leo Hipp, 74th in 44:55.9.
In the women’s 10K classic with 154 racers who started, the Wildcats were paced by Vivian Hett, who placed 13th in 31:14.4. Sophie Schimpl secured a top-20 finish, taking 19th in 31:51.6.
In addition, the Wildcats’ Lea Bunter was 35th in 32:32.1, Nicole Schneider, 37th in 32:38.4, Caroline Brisbois, 39th in 32:43.3, Sophie McDonald, 45th in 32:50.3, and Felicia Gesior, 48th in 32:56.2, Sarah Bezdicek, 68th in 33:49.9, Vera Gruber, 79th in 34:23.4, and Megan Edic, 84th in 34:35.7,
That race was won by American Caitlin Patterson of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project in 28:58.4.
Former NMU racer Rosie Frankowski, now representing the APU Nordic Ski Center, was ninth in 30:51.2.
Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.