NMU Women rock in 2011

Thu, Mar  31, 2011 - By Calvin Larson

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University women’s Nordic ski team recently completed the 2010-11 season at the NCAA Championship in Stowe, Vermont. NMU had three qualifiers compete in Nationals as Monica Markvardsen, Marie Helen Soderman and Christina Turman skied in the classic and freestyle events.

Sten Fjeldheim was named the Central Collegiate Ski Association Women’s Coach of the Year. Soderman and Turman were selected to the CCSA All-Conference First Team. Markvardsen was named to the second team.

Soderman finished 13th in the 15k classic and 21st in the 5k freestyle at the NCAA Championship (March 10 & 12). Turman was 26th in the classic and 27 in the freestyle while Markvardsen was 32nd in the classic and 36th in the freestyle.

NMU opened the season at the Husky Challenge (Dec. 4-5) where they edged out host Michigan Tech. The ‘Cats had four skiers in the top 10 in the 5k classic. Soderman won the event while Turman finished fourth, Markvardsen was sixth and Libby Ellis finished in seventh. The ‘Cats had six in the top 10 in the college 5k freestyle. Turman, Ingrid Fjeldheim (photo at right) and Sodererman finished two, three, four. Libby Ellis was fifth, Jordyn Ross was seventh and Markvardsen was eighth. Karmen Whitham was finished in the top 15, coming in fourteenth.

NMU traveled to Ironwood, Mich. the following weekend (Dec. 11-12) and competed in the Wolverine Ski Challenge. The women’s team had three skiers place in the top 10 in the 5k freestyle race. Fjeldheim crossed the line in second place and Turman was in third. Markvardsen finished in the 10th place slot. Other NMU athletes competing were Libby Ellis (12th) and Jordyn Ross (16th).

The Wildcats traveled to Rumford, Maine to participate in the 2011 U.S. Nordic Ski Championships at the beginning of the year. NMU had three skiers in the top 50 in the 10k classic race on Jan. 5. Soderman finished 20th. Turman was 33rd and Markvardsen was 49th. Other finishers for the ‘Cats were Ellis in 71st, Fjelheim in 88th, Ross in 103rd and Whitham in 149th. Turman was the top Wildcat in the sprint qualifier, finished 10th. Fjeldheim was 33rd and Soderman was 35th. Ellis was the final ‘Cat in the top 50, coming across the line 42nd.

NMU finished second in the first conference meet of the season at the Mayor’s Cup Challenge in Minneapolis, Minn. (Jan. 22-23). The ‘Cats placed two skiers in the top 10 in the 5k freestyle led by a seventh and eighth place finish by Fjeldheim and Turman. Soderman crossed the finish line in 11th place. Turman finished in fourth place overall in the 10k classic. Ellis (10th) and Markvardsen (11th) along with Fjeldheim (12th) paced the ‘Cats in the middle of the pack. Soderman was right behind the group finishing 14th.

Michigan Tech hosted a SuperTour event the following weekend (Jan. 29-30). NMU came out on top in the team scoring. In the 10k classic, Turman finished second, Markvardsen was fourth, Soderman was seventh and Libby Ellis eighth. Ross (11th), Fjeldheim (13th) and Whitham (32nd) were the other finishers for NMU. Turman placed second overall in the 10k freestyle. Markvardsen finished in third. Soderman took sixth place, Fjeldheim placed eighth and Ross took 10th place to round out the top 10 for NMU. Turman finished first in the classic sprint race at the USSA Super Tour.

NMU won the CCSA crown by one point over Alaska Fairbanks at Al Quaal Recreation Center (Feb. 12-13). Four Wildcats were in the top 10 in the 15k classic. Turman was fourth, Soderman sixth, Markvardsen eighth and Ellis 10th. Fjeldheim (18th) and Ross (20th) also finished for NMU. Turman was third in the freestyle, Soderman was fifth, Ellis eighth and Markvardsen ninth were in the top 10. Fjeldheim (15th) and Ross (16th) also finished for the ‘Cats.

Michigan Tech hosted the NCAA regional (Feb. 19). NMU finished second to Alaska-Fairbanks. Markvarsen led the way for the women in the 10k classic race as she finished third. Soderman was two back in fifth place and Ellis was ninth. Ross and Turman finished 22nd and 23rd. Fjeldheim (29th) and Whitham (38th) also crossed the line for NMU. Turman finished second in the 5k freestyle. Fjeldheim was seventh, Soderman ninth, Markvardsen 12th, Ellis 17th, Ross 22nd and Whitham 47th for NMU.