HOUGHTON – Sometimes when a team is hot, it carries over from one group to the next within that team.

On Thursday afternoon, Northern Michigan University opened its day at the U.S. Cross Country Skiing Championships with a win in the junior men’s 10-kilometer classic freestyle, and that set the pace for a very strong showing by the Wildcats throughout the day.

Northern Michigan coach Sten Fjeldheim was pleased with the efforts put forth by his team and felt that he has a team that pushes each other, which in turn made everyone better.

“The atmosphere of the team is super positive,” said Fjeldheim. “They do have fun. Their social life becomes the team, becomes training, becomes the practices. They become like brothers and sisters. We really have a great group of kids. They totally support each other.”

Ian Torchia posted a blazing 26 minutes, 25.4 seconds to pace the 10K race. His time was 6 1/2 seconds better than Zak Ketterson of Loppet Nordic Racing.

Torchia’s teammate Leo Hipp also had a strong performance, finishing eighth in 26:52.8.

Great ski conditions including a 34-degree temperature and a fast track so close to home that had been meticulously groomed helped the skiers post strong numbers.

“It is just unbelievable,” Fjeldheim said. “It is awesome. Michigan Tech has done just an incredible job, not just with their trail system, but with their race crew.”

Of course, training nearly year-round has been as important to athletic success as conditions.

“Basically May, June, July, August, September, October and November, the training they have put in to prepare,” Fjeldheim said. “They love to train. My job, lots of times, is that I don’t have to push them, I have to hold them back. They are super motivated. They work a lot on technique.”

Two Wildcats finished in the top six in the men’s 30K.

Adam Martin posted the fourth-best time of 1:20:48.5. He was in fourth after the first 10K, but moved into second after 20K. He would have finished higher if not for the final push of Brian Gregg of Team Gregg, who came from ninth to finish second over that last 10K.

Martin also finished third earlier this week in the 15K sprint.

Jake Brown placed sixth thanks to a strong finish. His time of 1:20:52.5 was just four seconds behind Martin.

Fjeldheim praised the efforts of his skiers in the classroom, as he felt that focus translates to their athletic practices.

“Every year, they are the highest-achieving academic team on campus,” Fjeldheim said. “They are just incredible students. They are really diligent there and it really translates to their training.”

A third Wildcats’ racer posted a time good enough to place him in the top 15. Fredrik Schwencke posted a time of 1:22:29.3 for 14th to join his teammates as the first three collegians across the finish line.

He was right with Brown through 10K with an opening lap time that was just 3 1/2 seconds behind his teammate. Schwenke was the grand champion of the College Cup earlier this week.

In the women’s 20K, Sophie Schimpl was the highest finishing Northern Michigan skier in 1:04:14.2, good for 13th.

Three others finished in the top 50.

Felicia Gesior placed 24th with a time of 1:06:17.8, Megan Edic placed 30th (1:08:36.3) and Vera Gruber 50th (1:12:29.8).

To close out the day, Vivian Hett finished second in the junior women’s 5K thanks to a time of 15:21.8. She was the grand champion of the College Cup earlier in the week.

Nicole Schneider placed fourth in 15:26.2. She was joined in the top 10 by Caroline Brisbois, who finished seventh in 15:37.8.

Sophie McDonald just missed out on a top 10 finish, placing 12th in 15:51.4 and just four seconds out of 10th.

Sarah Bezdicek, who placed 27th (16:15.4), and Lea Buenter, who finished 35th (16:31.5), also had strong performances.

The Wildcats finish up at the nationals on Saturday starting with the Classic Sprints at 10 a.m.