Jesse Lang Finished 2nd in Christmas Classic
CCSA
Mon, Dec 17, 2007 - By MTU Athletics
HOUGHTON, Mich. - Michigan Tech had three skiers finish in the top-10 at the Christmas Classic on Saturday. "Our team skied really well today. It also gave our athletes a chance to race on the same course that the US Nationals will use,” said head coach Joe Haggenmiller.
Sophomore Jesse Lang led the men’s team as he finished fourth in the 10-kilometer freestyle in 27:33.4. Senior Kevin Heglund was just over 16 back as he finished fifth. Senior Adam Airoldi also cracked the top-10 as he finished ninth in 28:19.4.
In the women’s five-kilometer freestyle race, Elizabeth Quinley, who is redshirting this season, finished sixth in 16:35.7. Junior Laura Kangas finished 10th in 17:23.5 and junior Karen Jarvey finished 11th in 17:23.6. A pair of freshman, Jill Smith and Catherine Cogger, finished 13th (17:53.4) and 14th (17:58.3).
Both teams will return to action Sunday, Dec. 16, in day two action of the Michigan Tech Christmas Classic. The men’s 15-kilometer classical race will start at 10 a.m. followed by the women’s 10-kilometer classical.
On Sunday, Sophomore Jesse Lang posted his best finish of the year for Michigan Tech as he finished second in the 15-kilometer classical race in a time of 48:36.8 at the Michigan Tech Christmas Classic. Teammate junior Chris Harvey finished fifth (49:16.3) and senior Adam Airoldi finished sixth (49:17.0) for the Huskies. Senior Kevin Heglund also finished 10th (49:48.9) for Tech.
“The men skied great today. This is where we want them to be as we head into the US Nationals that we will be hosting in Houghton,” said head coach Joe Haggenmiller. “We competed well and gave Northern Michigan a run for their money.”
Sophomore Jenna Klein led a trio of Tech skiers in the top-10 with her fourth place finish in the 10-kilometer classical in 36:26.6. Junior Laura Kangas finished sixth (37:45.6) and senior Andrea Metz was ninth in 38:00.0.
“Jenna skied well with the leaders today. She ran out of gas toward the end but she still had a solid race.”