Six athletes sign with Michigan Tech
Thu, Jul 29, 2010 - By Michigan Tech
HOUGHTON, Mich. - Michigan Tech head coach Joe Haggenmiller announced the signing of six individuals to National Letters of Intent for the sports of cross country, Nordic Skiing and track and field.
The team welcomes three standout runners, a very talented pole vaulter and four up-and-coming female skiers to help replace the void left by the graduation of six athletes who represented the Huskies at the NCAA Championships over their Husky careers; (Jenna Klein NS 2007, ‘08 and ‘09, Elizabeth Quinley NS 2007 and ‘09, Henna Riikonen-Purtsi NS 2010, Jesse Lang NS 2007, ‘08 and ‘09, Oskar Lund NS 2009 and ‘10, and Kenneth Gilkerson TF 2010).
“We will have some significant holes to fill with the graduation of our 2010 senior class. But, this may well be the deepest recruiting class we have had in the last 10 years here at Michigan Tech. Each of our signed athletes, and our many walk-ons, with promise and potential, should make a significant contribution to our programs during their careers here at Michigan Tech, and we look forward to each of them getting started,” said Haggenmiller, who enters his eight year as head coach of Michigan Tech cross country, Nordic skiing and track and field.
Malin Eriksson finished in the top-10 in the 10-kilometer pursuit at the 2010 Swedish National Junior Championships. The native of Soederala, Sweden, is ranked in the top-600 in the world and posted a pair of top-20 finishes in 2009-10 Swedish FIS Races, while racing a very competitive calander through out Scandinavia.
Alice Flanders finished fifth at the Minnesota State Ski Meet for Robbinsdale Cooper to earn all-state honors in 2010. The New Hope, Minn., native also competed in the Junior National Championships finishing 10th in the relay and 21st in the classic race. She was also named captain, most dedicated and most valuable.
Marissa Yovetich was a three-time Minnesota state ski meet qualifier including a ninth-place finish her senior year for Andover High School. She was also a four-time all-conference selection, including one conference championship in skiing, and was a three-time all-conference selection in cross country.
Deedra Irwin will be a solid addition to the cross country and track field teams. The native of Pulaski, Wis., was a three-time state qualifier in cross country and earned all-state honors as a junior. She also competed in the Foot Locker Championships as a junior. Irwin was a six-time state qualifier on the track. She posted three top-10 finishes at the state meet, including a fifth place finish in the 800. She also competed in Nordic skiing posting eight top-10 finishes at the Wisconsin State Meet.
Erica Poli finished sixth in the pole vault (10-9) at the 2010 Div. III Michigan State Meet. The East Lansing native was a three-time state qualifier and was the regional champion as a sophomore. She also helped the Trojans to a pair of team regional championships. Her parents, Kevin and Patricia, are both Michigan Tech graduates.
Evan Kryske was the runner-up in the 3,200 (10:00) at the 2009 Mich. Div. II State Meet. The Carlton, Mich., native finished ninth in the 1,600 and 17th in the 800 his senior year. He was also a two-time most valuable player in cross country and track and field for Airport High School.