The Nordic ski teams are preparing for the Central Collegiate Ski Association Championship. Head coach Sten Fjeldheim said the ’Cats will have some tough opponents in the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and Michigan Technological University.
At the CCSA Championship last season, senior Ben Hugus (67) of Wausau, Wis. finished fourth in the first round of freestyle sprints. The Wildcats host the 2014 CCSA Championship, which open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Al Quaal ski facility in Ishpeming. Competition opens at 10 a.m. Sunday.
The CCSA Championship is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Al Quaal ski facility in Ishpeming. Saturday consists of classic racing, with the men scheduled first and the women to follow. In the Sunday freestyle, the women will open, followed by the men.
Fjeldheim said a couple of NMU skiers stand out on the men’s roster, including junior Kyle Bratrud. Bratrud was named All-American last season for his 10th-place finish in the NCAA Championship freestyle race.
“Kyle Bratrud has been winning races this season, as well as [senior] George Cartwright, so I am expecting that our men’s team will do well,” Fjeldheim said. “[Freshman] Fredrik Schwencke has also been skiing well.”
Cartwright said the team is looking forward to this weekend’s CCSA Championship.
“This is a big weekend for us because all of the major schools in the region will be racing,” Cartwright said. “Right now, we are starting to taper off our training a bit, not as many hours but more high-speed type training. We don’t want to be overly tired but we want to be able to go fast and push hard. Striking the balance between keeping the feel, but yet being adequately rested is key. I think we are looking sharp and ready to go. We have at least five guys capable of standing on the podium in the top three.”
Cartwright also qualified for the NCAA Championships last season. He finished 33rd in the classic and 28th in the freestyle.
Fjeldheim said the NMU women’s roster is also strong.
“The women have been skiing well also,” Fjeldheim said. “[Sophomore] Mary Kate Cirelli and [junior] Felicia Gesior have been our one-two punch the past two weekends, and I suspect that they will be skiing fast again next weekend.”
Fjeldheim also said two NMU skiers are missing in the line-up.
Freshman Adam Martin and senior Rosie Frankowski have been in Val di Fiemme, Italy since Monday, Jan. 27, for the FIS U23 World Ski Championships.
“Adam Martin has been missing in our line-up since he has been competing in Europe at the Junior World Championships,” Fjeldheim said. “He returns this week, but most likely he will not race this weekend. Rather, he will focus on the regional championships the next weekend, Saturday, Feb. 15 and Sunday, Feb. 16.”
Martin placed as the top American skier in the men’s 10k classic with a 26th place finish. He completed the course in 28:01.1. Russia took the victory in 26:36.9.
Frankowski was the top American female in the women’s skiathlon, also finishing 26th overall. Frankowski completed the course in 47:43.4. Norway took first with a time of 44:37.5.
Fjeldheim said Frankowski will also return early this week.
“Our top skier, Rosie Frankowski, has also been racing for Team USA at the U23 World Championships,” Fjeldheim said. “I am not planning on having her race on Saturday, but possibly on Sunday if she feels that she has recovered from her international travels.”
Cartwright said he is hopeful his returning teammates get a chance to compete this weekend.
“They will definitely help us in the quest for a conference and regional championship,” Cartwright said.
