2021 Collegiate Tally Board
April 21, 2021We've fired up the collegiate tally board, tracking high school Nordic skiing seniors and their future plans. Find out who's skiing in college, and contribute to the board.
NMU's Sten Fjeldheim Retires
March 30, 2021Northern Michigan University's legendary ski coach, Sten Fjeldheim, has officially announced his retirement after 34 years with the program.
MCNL: Great Bear Chase Concludes Season, Midwest Collegiate Champions Crowned
March 17, 2021A small but determined field of collegiate Nordic skiers made their to Calumet, MI, last weekend to decide the final standings of the 2020-21 Midwest Collegiate Nordic League (MCNL) at the Great Bear Chase. When the final numbers were tallied, Twin Cities Nordic swept the team titles.
NCAA Championships Recap
March 15, 2021The collegiate season wrapped up last week in Jackson, New Hampshire with the NCAA Championships. Luke Brown brings us a full recap with emphasis on the Midwest athletes.
NCAA Championships: Freestyle
March 13, 2021The NCAA Championships wrapped up Saturday with interval start freestyle races. NMU's Kjetil Baanerud and Zak Ketterson finished 3rd and 4th in the men's 20K with teammate Malin Boerjesjoe posting the top Midwest result for the women in 6th. Magnus Boee, CU, and Sydney Palmer-Leger, UU, repeated as champions.
NCAA Championships: Classic
March 11, 2021Racing under difficult waxing conditions, NCAA Championships opened Thursday with classical races at Jackson XC in New Hampshire. NMU's Molly Miller had the top Midwest result, skiing to fifth place in the women's 5K. Emil Book Bratbak, CSS, had the top men's result for the Midwest finishing 10th. Victories went to Sydney Palmer-Leger, UU, and Magnus Boee, CU. Saturday will conclude NCAAs with the freestyle races.
NCAA Championships Preview
March 9, 2021NCAA Championships are happening, and a dozen skiers with Midwest roots will be competing! Racing action starts Thursday at Jackson Nordic in New Hampshire and Luke Brown has a complete preview.
Super Cup Regional Finals: Freestyle Coverage
March 7, 2021Starting early on Sunday morning, the Super Cup Regional Finals freestyle races hoped to avoid the blast furnace that was forecast for later in the day. Hitting the trails first, the men's 10K had fast conditions as Finn O'Connell repeated as champion, Brian Gregg second, and Logan Diekmann third. Adrik Kraftson had another stellar day, finishing as the top U18 and fourth overall! Colin Freed was the top U20 (7th overall). The U16 boys raced next, with Josh Frett topping the bakers dozen 5K field. The women's 10K had an all-star lineup with Caitlin Gregg skating to victory on her home course, Alayna Sonnesyn less than nine seconds later, and Lauren Jortberg third. Pearl Harvey posted the top U20 time, Arielle Jean was the fastest of the U18 women. Finally, the U16 girls had their time on the course with Natasha Sortland skiing to the only sub-18 minute 5K time for the field. Results linked in, along with photos from the morning races.
Super Cup Regional Finals: Classic Coverage
March 6, 2021Saturday morning started off with blazing fast trails for the women's 10K classic for the Super Cup Regional Finals at Theodore Wirth. Alayna Sonnesyn, fresh off her Birkie freestyle victory and second place in the Birkie classic, scooped up the victory with Pearl Harvey, NMU, second and Pauline Forren, NMU, third. Pearl Harvey was top of the U20 class, best U18 skier was Elsa Bergman. The U16 girls had some speedy conditions as well as Sydney Drevlow crushed the 5K field by more than a minute. The course was starting to soften as the 10K men hit the trails. Finn O'Connell posted the only sub-25 minute time on the day in taking victory, Logan Diekmann was second, Graham Houtsma third. Colin Freed (U20) had an impressive performance, besting the junior field and finishing fourth overall, as Adrik Kraftson was the best of the U18 group (and 6th overall). David Isom topped the boy's U16 5K field. Results linked in, along with photosets from the 5K and 10K races.
MCNL: Birkie Intensifies Championship Chase
March 5, 2021The Midwest Collegiate Nordic League (MCNL) tallied up some new numbers after competing in the American Birkebeiner events last weekend in Hayward. Read the complete round up and review the current standings.
Collegiate Racing Recap: CCSA, EISA, RMISA
March 3, 2021Luke Brown has the final regular season weekend recaps for all three major NCAA divisions and new information on the NCAA Championships being held next week in New Hampshire.
NCAA Regionals: Freestyle Coverage
February 28, 2021Day two of the NCAA Regionals in Houghton, MI, and like much of the region, snow became a factor as the flakes starting falling during the men's race. NMU's Kjetil Banerud skated to the top men's 20K time with MTU's Patrick Acton second, Tobias Moosmann, NMU, third. On the women's side, NMU made a clean sweep of the top five placings with Molly Miller taking the win, Malin Boerjesjoe second, and Hilde Eide third. Results linked in, photos by Chris Schmidt.
NCAA Regionals: Classic Coverage
February 27, 2021In the final step towards NCAA Championships, regionals are underway this weekend in Houghton, MI. Saturday was classic races, 5K for the women, 10K for the men. Anabell Needham, MTU, posted the best women's time, following closely by NMU's Molly Miller and Hilde Eide. On the men's side, Zak Ketterson, NMU, posted a punishing sub 27 minute time for the victory with teammate Kjetil Banerud second, and CSS's Emil Book Bratbak third. Results linked in, along with photos from Chris Schmidt.
Collegiate Racing Recap: CCSA, EISA, RMISA
February 25, 2021All three major collegiate divisions were racing last weekend as NCAA Championships draw near. Luke Brown has recaps on all the divisions, plus an update on NCAA selections.
Mayor's Challenge Freestyle Coverage
February 21, 2021A near perfect day of racing Sunday at Theodore Wirth for the freestyle races in the Mayor's Challenge. Caitlin Gregg showcased some of her World Cup talent in posting the only sub 15 minute time in the women's 5K on a challenging course. Renae Anderson (U23) and Erin Bianco (U23) rounded out the top three. Maggie Wagner was the fastest of the U18 field, Sydney Drevlow best of the U16 (and 5th overall), and Isabel Seay topped the U20 group. In the men's 10K, Christian Gostout (U23) ruled the day while Adrik Kraftson (U18) was second, Tyrg Solberg (U23) third. Colin Freed skated to the best U20 time. In the boy's 5K, Daniel McCollor topped Davis Isom by just over six seconds for the win, Josh Frett third. Results linked in, photos from the 5K and 10K events online now.
Mayor's Challenge Sprint Coverage
February 20, 2021Temperatures started off in the single digits for the classic sprints but rose into the 20's in the afternoon for the freestyle sprints. Posting the top times in the classic sprints were Joe Lynch (U20) and Renae Anderson (U23). Roger Anderson was second overall by only a few tenths of a second for the best U18 time with Miles Miner the top U16 skier. Jordan Parent was third overall as the top U18 gal, Margaret Dalseth posted the top U20 time, and Sydney Drevlow was the best of the U16 field. The afternoon freestyle races had some extra "bumps" on the course to change things up. Renae Anderson (U23) completed with the sprint sweep with the best freestyle time, Cooper Camp (U18) had the top time for the boys. Isabel Seay scooped up the best U20 result, Lauren McCollor had the top time for the girls U18 division while Margo Nightingale topped the U16 field. Joe Lynch lead the U20 skiers and just missed the sweep, finishing just two-tenths of a second behind Camp. Davis Isom was the fastest of the U16 guys. Results linked in, along with photos from the classic sprints.
Collegiate Racing Recap: EISA
February 15, 2021The Eastern conference (EISA) was the only action last weekend, but Midwest skiers continued to post some strong results. Luke Brown brings us the weekend recap.
Collegiate Racing Recap: EISA, RMISA
February 9, 2021Collegiate racing continues to find ways to compete during the pandemic. Luke Brown has recaps from the East coast and Rockies.
Collegiate Racing Recap: EISA, CCSA
February 2, 2021CCSA and EISA were both in action last weekend as the collegiate racing season continues to forge a way through the pandemic impacted environment. Luke Brown brings us the highlights on the racing action, with the usual emphasis on Midwest skiers.
Collegiate Racing Recap: RMISA, Misc
January 26, 2021Luke Brown reports on RMISA division racing out west, plus some off circuit racing by Midwest athletes.
Duluth CXC Super Cup Freestyle Coverage
January 24, 2021A big day of freestyle racing at Grand Avenue Nordic Center Sunday for the Duluth CXC Super Cup races. Some blazing fast times for the 7.5K distance with Cooper Camp, U18, posting the best at 18:04. Colin Freed again lead the U20 men (and 2nd overall), while Daniel McCollor also repeated as U16 champion. On the women's side, Isabel Seay, U20, had the top time at 21:13, with U18's Molly Moening second, and Sydney Drevlow continuing her strong run as top U16 in third overall. Results linked in along with U16 boys race photos by Dave Zoll.
Duluth CXC Super Cup Classic Coverage
January 23, 2021Grand Avenue Nordic Center was the center of action on Saturday as JNQ format races in classic technique were contested. Gus Schatzlein posted the top time in the men's 10K, with Roger Anderson just five seconds back and the top U18 skier followed by Victor Sparks just one second later. Top U20 skier was Colin Freed (5th overall), Daniel McCollor won the boy's U16 5K race. In the women's 5K, a pair of U16 lead the field with Sydney Drevlow and Margo Nightingale separated by a single second! Lauren McCollor was the top U18 (3rd overall), Isabel Seay best of the U20 gals. Results linked in, photos of the U16 boys from Dave Zoll.
Collegiate Racing Recap: CCSA, RMISA, EISA
January 20, 2021Luke Brown covers the first real weekend of collegiate racing for CCSA and RMISA divisions, along with a brief update on the NCAA Championships.
Cable CXC Super Cup Freestyle Coverage
January 17, 2021Another day of fantastic racing on a fast course at the Birkie trailhead in Cable for the CXC Super Cup on Sunday. In the men's 10K freestyle, NMU's Kjetil Baanerud was the top dog again with Tobias Moosmann (also NMU) and Brian Gregg within 30 seconds back. Caitlin Gregg captured the women's 5K freestyle with the only sub 13 minute time on the day. Henriette Semb, MTU, was second with Malin Boerjesjoe, NMU, third. Spectacular results by the U18 champions as Adrik Kraftson was 5th and Molly Moening was 7th overall! Best in the U20 field were Olivia Laven and Colin Freed. U16 titles went to Sydney Drevlow and Daniel McCollor. Results linked in, photos of U16 boys by Dave Zoll online now as well as photos posted from the women's 5K and men's 10K by Jackie Schneider.
Cable CXC Super Cup Classic Coverage
January 16, 2021Near perfect conditions Saturday for classic distance races at the Birkie trailhead in Cable, Wisconsin for the CXC Super Cup series. In the men's 15K, NMU's Kjetil Baanerud clocked the only sub 41 minute time with 40:36 with Brian Gregg second, Tobias Moosmann, NMU, third. The women's 10K field was lead by Malin Boerjesjoe, NMU, who has the only sub 32 minute time, coming in at 31:37 with Renae Anderson second, Henriette Semb, NMU third. Top U20 times when to Anabel Needham and Colin Freed. Fastest in the U18 were Molly Moening and Jasper Johnston. U16 victories were earned by Sydney Drevlow and Davis Isom. Results linked in, along with photosets from Jackie Schneider.
Racing Outlook
January 11, 2021An early update on the weekend races: Registration closes for the Cable JNQ Tuesday night; Pre-Loppet is on; HinderBinder is on; River View Loppet is on!
Houghton CXC Super Cup: Freestyle Coverage
January 3, 2021It was the Gregg show on the trails at Michigan Tech Sunday for the freestyle races of the CXC Super Cup. Parents Brian and Caitlin Gregg schooled the younger skiers, taking victories in the 15K and 10K freestyle races. Brian won by almost 15 seconds over NMU's Kjetil Baanerud, with MTU's Patrick Acton third. Caitlin crushed the women's field, posting a winning margin of nearly a minute over Malin Boerjesjoe, NMU, with Mara McCollor, Mpls Ski Club, third. Best U20 results were posted by Olivia Laven and Colin Freed, top U18 juniors were Molly Moening and Adrik Kraftson, with Margo Nightingale and Daniel McCollor the fastest of the U16 class. Results linked in, plus photosets from Chris Schmidt are posted.
Houghton CXC Super Cup: Sprints Coverage
January 2, 2021The Midwest racing season finally got underway with a weekend of racing action on the trails at Michigan Tech for the CXC Super Cup. Saturday's races were a double-header as pandemic restrictions forced the traditional sprints to be a qualifier only event, with classic in the morning and freestyle in the afternoon. The top combined time on the day went to Austrian native Tobias Moosmann, skiing for NMU, and clocking 5:40.17 while Sweden's Malin Boerjesjoe, also NMU, had the best women's combined time of 6:38.91. Top U18 times went to Jasper Johnston and Jordan Parent, U16 victories were earned by Dietrich Mattison and Margo Nightingale. Results linked in, photosets from Chris Schmidt linked in. Sunday will feature individual start freestyle distance races.
Collegiate Racing Update
December 30, 2020The collegiate world has been rocked hard by the pandemic. Luke Brown has been trying to stay on top of the ever evolving scene and brings us the last updates on the major regions, including a new NCAA Championships host.
Minnesota Issues New Covid Guidelines
December 28, 2020On Monday, Minnesota issued an update on Covid restrictions for youth and adult sports which will go into effect on January 4th. Outdoor team practices, with size limits, can resume on Jan 4th but competitions must wait until Jan 14th to begin. According to the latest updates, mask usage will be required for most sports including skiing.
CXC Posts Update on CXC Cup Schedule
December 10, 2020CXC issued an updated game plan for the junior racing season, reflecting possible open dates and hinting at a virtual competition.
Racing Outlook
December 9, 2020The UP Opener collegiate races scheduled for this weekend, Dec 12-13, have been cancelled due to pandemic restrictions. And some City of Lakes Loppet changes/cancellations announced.
CXC Cancels First Two Events in CXC Cup Series
November 21, 2020Because the latest executive order in Minnesota, the first two events in the CXC Cup series have been cancelled. Those first two events were weekend series at Grand Avenue in Duluth and Mount Itasca in Coleraine. Athletes, coaches and supporters should cancel plans for those events.
USCSA Announces Cancellation of National Championships
November 16, 2020The U.S. Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association (USCSA) has cancelled the 2021 US Collegiate Ski & Snowboard National Championships. Citing concerns from its membership regarding the safety of attendees and travel restrictions, the USCSA will focus on enabling the regular season and local competitions where conditions permit.
Collegiate Racing Season Preview
November 15, 2020With many things still very much up in the air, Luke Brown takes a snapshot of where the collegiate racing season is today. Plus check out where many of the Midwest's top juniors landed for this season and along with some assorted collegiate news.
CXC Cup Schedule Released
October 2, 2020CXC has released their tentative schedule for CXC Junior, Youth and Super Cup events this winter. Racing action is scheduled to kickoff on Dec 12th in Duluth and wrap up with a regional finals event early March in Minneapolis.
Collegiate Fall Update
September 28, 2020Luke Brown takes a look at the current collegiate Nordic scene as the conferences and teams try to put together training and racing plans for the upcoming season while contending with the ever changing procedures resulting from the ongoing pandemic.
CSS Nordic Skiing Fundraising Challenge
August 24, 2020The CSS Nordic Ski Team taking on a challenge to best the other CSS athletics during the campus wide Week of Giving. Any contribution will help in their goal, and will go to the purchase of Ski Ergs, additional wax stations, and high visibility clothing for roller ski safety.
Collegiate: Amanda Kautzer Named NCAA Division II Academic All-America of the Year
July 23, 2020Senior women's skier Amanda Kautzer of Michigan Technological University has been named as the 2019-20 Academic All-America of the Year for Division II, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
USCSA Summer Conference Recap
June 16, 2020Last weekend USCSA held their summer conference and midwest student representative Luke Dykowski and members of the publishing team at the USCSA put together a summary press release which includes info on the 2021 Nationals venue, covid plans, as well as race and racism in the sport.
Junior Nationals Returns to Theodore Wirth
June 2, 2020The 2021 US Junior Nationals competition will be held in Minneapolis in March at Theodore Wirth. The week long competition brings in top juniors from across the nation. Minneapolis last hosted Junior Nationals in 2011.
CXC Announces Regional Elite Group Athletes
May 25, 2020CXC has posted the athletes invited for 2020 Regional Elite Group training camp. The exact plans for the camp are still in flux as the staff works through the latest pandemic restrictions and best-practices.
2020 Collegiate Tally Board
May 13, 2020We've fired up the collegiate tally board for the class of 2020. Let us know your college plans so we care share with the rest of the skiing community!
Gogebic Community College Nordic Skiing to Start This Winter
May 11, 2020The Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees approved the addition of Nordic Skiing as a club sport beginning this winter. The club plans to have a paid coach and compete in the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) Midwestern Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Conference (MSCA).
2019-20 Season Highlights
May 1, 2020Catch highlights plus full results and photos from the 2019-2020 collegiate racing season.