The NMU Nordic skiing team is striving for the finish line of their season, and after completing the Central SuperTour last weekend, the team is preparing for the home stretch.
The team had a great weekend with the men taking all three positions on the podium in the freestyle and classic, with the women taking two out of the first five positions in both races.
NMU senior Ingrid Fjeldheim, who took eighth in freestyle and 13th in the classic, didn’t feel it was her best weekend but took home some good highlights from the race.
“Walking away with the title and knowing our team was there for me when I didn’t do as good shows the strength of this team,” Fjeldheim said.
NMU assistant coach Jenny Ryan has been coaching full-time since August 2002, and said she is very proud of the way her team performed at the Central SuperTour.
“We had a great weekend; both men and women all had great races and are skiing as strong as we have seen all year,” Ryan said.
Last weekend saw Martin Banerud place first in the classic with a time of 29:44.9, Andy Liebner second (29:58.0), and Erik Soderman placed third (30:50.0). Christina Turman finished second in the classic for the women with a time of 17:52.7.
In the Freestyle race, Martin Banerud took first with a time of 41:03.9. Andy Liebner earned second (41:29.4) and Erik Soderman took third (42:13.0). Christina Turman placed second in freestyle with a time of 33:43.7 and Monica Markvardsen finished third (33:47.3)
The ’Cats have two weeks off until the CCSA championships at Al Quaal recreation area in Ishpeming. With as many races as the team has had in the recent few weeks, this next week is going to be a reduced interval work load, with some long distance training Ryan said.
With championship season nearing, the athletes and coaching staff are all focused on getting technique perfect and also having fun at the same time.
“It is a great time because, not only individually, but also as a team, we get to show what we’ve been working so hard for all year in the next few races,” she said.
The team is trying to put the finishing touches on a good season, by working hard in practice these next two weeks and concluding the season with six strong races.
“It’s exciting to get the chance to compete and to show what we’ve been working for all year,” Fjeldheim said.
Fjeldheim, Turman and Banerud are pushing to finish their college careers on high notes.
“Getting to share all the special moments the past few years with Christina Turman, my teammates and my dad have meant so much to me,” Fjeldheim said.
