Turman, Soderman, Liebner and Banerud named MVS at NMU

Thu, Apr  14, 2011 - By Calvin Larson

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University women’s and Men's Nordic ski teams announced award winners for the 2010-11 season.

Women's ski team

Christina Turman and Marie-Helen Soderman were named Most Valuable Skiers. Both Turman and Soderman qualified for NCAA Nationals and both were named All-Central Collegiate Ski Association First Team. Turman finished third in the freestyle and fourth in the classic at the conference championship. Soderman won the first classic race of the season at Michigan Tech.Soderman finished 13th in the 15k classic and 21st in the 5k freestyle at the NCAA Championship. Turman was 26th in the classic and 27th in the freestyle

Jordyn Ross brought home the Freshman of the Year award. She finished seventh in the freestyle at the Husky Challenge and 10th at the Super Tour in Houghton, Mich.

Most Improved Skier went to Rosie Frankowski while Ingrid Fjeldheim was awarded the first recipient of the Faiella award for sportsmanship and leadership.

Men's ski team

Andy Liebner and Martin Banerud were named Most Valuable Skiers. Liebner earned All-America status in the classic and freestyle at NCAA Nationals. Both Liebner and Banerud were named to the All-Central Collegiate Ski Association First Team. The duo finished one and two in the freestyle and classic races at the NCAA Regional as Banerud won both. Liebner won both races at the conference championship.

Chris Bowler was named Most Improved Skier for the second year in a row. He was named to the All-CCSA Second Team. Bowler won the first race of the year at Michigan Tech in the 10k classic. He had a third-place finish in the freestyle at the conference championship and a fourth in the classic at the Regional.

Erik Soderman was named Freshman of the Year. He was named to the All-CCSA First Team and qualified for Nationals after a third-place finish in the freestyle at the Regional. Soderman finished second in freestyle and fourth in the classic at the conference championship.

Martin Banerud was named the first-time winner of the Faiella Award for sportsmanship and leadership.