The Nordic ski teams competed in their first Central Collegiate Ski Association (CCSA) races of the season. The weekend included individual 15km races and a mixed relay, where both teams joined forces to claim gold.
In the individual men’s race, four of the top five spots were taken by Wildcats. Luke Fricker claimed silver, clocking in with a final time of 32:27.0 and lap times of 6:14.8, 6:26.6, 6:36.3, and 6:33.4. Following Fricker was Kristoffer Karsrud, who took bronze with lap times of 6:08.8, 6:34.1, 6:34.2, and 6:35.6. His final time was 32:31.5. Rounding out the top five were Adrik Kraftson and Jonathan Clarke, finishing with times of 32:34.1 and 33:09.5, respectively.
In the women’s race, two of the top three spots were taken by Wildcats. Victoria Dybwad took home gold, with her final time being 37:16.0 and her lap times being 7:17.0, 7:32.9, 7:28.0, 7:26.1, and 7:31.7. Close behind her was fellow teammate Henriette Nilssen, who took home silver. Her lap times were 7:13.8, 7:28.1, 7:36.0, 7:37.2, and 7:32.3, with a final time of 37:27.6. Nilssen finished a full 30 seconds ahead of third-place finisher Marie Wangen of Michigan Tech.
The Wildcats also dominated the mixed-gender relay, earning the gold medal. Nilssen was the starter for the relay, with a time of 14:12.7, followed by Karsrud at 11:25.3, Dybwad at 13:18.4, and Fricker, who ended the relay with a time of 12:03.1.
A second Wildcat team placed seventh in the relay. The group, consisting of Jordan Parent (14:44.2), Clarke (12:05.2), Ella Niznik (14:30.5), and Kraftson (11:52.5), Finished with a total time of 53:12.3.
The Wildcats now take a break before their next competition, the Grand Avenue Nordic CCSA Invite in Duluth, Minn. Following that, they will compete in the CCSA Conference Championships in Minneapolis.