The Northern Michigan men’s and women’s Nordic ski teams delivered a strong all-around performance this past weekend at the Michigan Tech Invite, turning in multiple podium finishes and top 10 results at the Tech Trails in the final tune-up before postseason action.
The NMU minute-men squabbled up on day one in the 5k classic, placing two skiers on the podium behind a competitive showing. Senior Luke Fricker earned silver with a time of 14:30.5, while reigning CCSA Male Skier of the Year and fellow Wildcat, Adrik Kraftson, followed closely for bronze at 14:34.5. Michigan Tech’s Wes Campbell captured gold in 14:16.4.
Jonathan Clarke placed sixth at 14:57.4, and sophomore Caden Albrecht cracked the top 10 in ninth at 15:09.5. Hendrik Peterson and Jack Dahlby rounded out the NMU finishers in 24th and 30th, respectively.
The Wildcats were even stronger in Sunday’s 20k mass start, sweeping the podium in dominant fashion. Kraftson and Fricker controlled the pace throughout the race, trading positions late before Kraftson pulled ahead over the final 5k to win gold in 52:33.0. Fricker finished second just 4.4 seconds back at 52:37.4.
Albrecht capped the sweep by edging Campbell in a photo finish for bronze, both crossing at 53:26.2, with Albrecht officially earning third by 0.1 seconds. The sophomore surged late, recording the second-fastest final 5k split of the race.
On the women’s side, NMU showcased impressive depth throughout the weekend, beginning with five top-10 finishes in the 5k classic. Graduate student Lauren McCollor led the way with a bronze medal performance, clocking in at 17:06.9. Henriette Nilssen and Greta Leitheiser followed in fourth and fifth, while Jordan Parent and freshman Emma Klevenberg rounded out the top 10 in ninth and 10th.
The Wildcats added more top finishes in Sunday’s 20k mass start, with McCollor once again pacing the team. She finished fifth at 1:02:35.2 after battling among the leaders throughout the race. Leitheiser followed in seventh at 1:02:46.4, and Klevenberg placed ninth with a time of 1:04:07.8.
With consistent podium performances on the men’s side and depth-driven results from the women, the MTU Invite served as a confidence boost heading into the postseason. Northern Michigan now turns its attention to the CCSA Conference Championships, set to begin Friday, Feb. 13, at Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis, where both teams will look to convert momentum into medals when it matters most.
