NMU finishes third at US Championships

USSA College Cup

Wed, Jan  12, 2011 - By Calvin Larson

RUMFORD, Maine– The Northern Michigan University men’s and women’s Nordic skiing teams competed at the 2011 US Nordic Skiing Championships in Maine last week. The team placed third in the USSA College Cup and Andy Liebner won the top male collegiate skier award.

“We’ve had a good start to our season to prepare for our super tour events.” NMU head coach Sten Fjelheim said. “The goal is to qualify for the NCAAs and compete well.”

NMU finished third with a team score of 521 behind the University of Alaska-Fairbanks (574) and Dartmouth College (565).

The Wildcats placed three skiers in the top 50 in the Men’s 15K classic race on Wednesday (Jan. 5). Martin Baanerud was the first ‘Cat across the line in 22^nd place with a time of 45:50.8. Andy Liebner was 31^st (46:10.4) and Erik Soderman was 34^th (46:22.8). Chris Bowler finished 59th (47:46.1) and Kevin Cutts and Thomas McFadden didn’t finish.

The women’s team had three skiers in the top 50 in the 10K classic race on Wednesday (Jan. 5). Marie Helen Soderman finished 20^th with a time of 35:08.5. Christina Turman was 33^rd (35:47.4) and Monica Markvardsen was 49^th (36:28.0). Other finishers for the ‘Cats were Libby Ellis in 71^st, Ingrid Fjelheim in 88^th, Jordyn Ross in 103^rd and Karmen Whitham in 149^th.

Andy Liebner led the ‘Cats in the sprint qualifier on Saturday (Jan. 8), finishing 23^rd. Martin Bannerud was 45^th and Thomas McFadden was 123^rd.

Christina Turman was the top NMU female in Saturdays sprint qualifier. Turman finished 10^th. Ingrid Fjeldheim was 33^rd and Marie Helen Soderman was 35^th. Libby Ellis was the final ‘Cat in the top 50, coming across the line 42^nd. Jordyn Ross (61^st), Monica Markvardsen (70^th) and Karmen Whitham (82^nd) were the final ‘Cats across the finish line.

NMU travels to Minneapolis to compete in an NCAA qualifier meet this weekend.