Regional Elite Group Teams Announced
April 26, 2022The Regional Elite Group (REG) teams for both the Midwest and Great Lakes divisions have been posted. The Regional Elite Group brings together the top juniors to train and receive feedback, educational materials, and a glimpse at the bigger picture of Nordic ski racing. The main training camp is scheduled for early July in Marquette, MI.
CXC U16 Trip Recap
March 19, 2022Select Midwest and Great Lakes U16 juniors competed out west last week in the Western Championships. The crew scored a number of podiums and came away as one of the top teams as well. Ellen McCarthy has a brief recap and shares some photos.
NCAA Championships Recap
March 16, 2022NCAA Championships, the culmination of a year's worth of training and racing for collegiate athletes, arrived at the Soldier Hollow venue in Midway, Utah this past week. New champions were crowned in both the men's and women's fields, and our collegiate contributor Luke Brown has all the details on who came out on top, as well as who were the prominent performers hailing from the Midwest.
MCSA: USCSA National Championship Recap
March 16, 2022The U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) held their Collegiate National Championships last week in Lake Placid, NY. Luke Dykowski brings us a detailed recap with emphasis on the Midwest skiers.
NCAA Championships: Freestyle
March 12, 2022The second half of NCAA Championships in Midway, Utah kicked off on Saturday with freestyle mass start distance racing at Soldier Hollow. The women got to go out first, and of that field, Sophia Laukli and her University of Utah teammate, Novie McCabe, were the first and second to cross the line, reversing their finishing order from the classic race. A minute back, Jasmine Lyons from the University of New Hampshire was third across the line, and Renae Anderson from Bowdoin College, an All-American in 10th, was the top finisher with Midwestern roots. Out on course next, the men were lead by the University of Vermont's Ben Ogden who, with a victory today, completed his NCAA Championships sweep. Just seconds back, Samuel Henry from the University of Utah and JC Schoonmaker from the University of Alaska Anchorage were the second and third place finishers. There were also two Midwestern All-American performances among the men: a 7th place finish by Kjetil Baanerud from Northern Michigan University, and a 10th place finish by Skylar Patten from Michigan Technological University.
Junior Nationals: Relay Coverage
March 12, 2022Junior Nationals wrapped up their weekend with mixed relays on Saturday as big crowds cheered on the skiers in their final event at Theodore Wirth. Once again the Midwest power was on show as teams in the U16 and U20 finished in second place: Miles Miner/Daniel McCollor/Inga Wing/Sydney Drevlow (MW-U16-1) 2nd; Adrik Kraftson/Davis Isom/Maggie Wagner/Molly Moening (MW-U18-1) 2nd; Cooper Camp/Jonathan Clarke/Jordan Parent/Greta Hansen (MW-U18-2) 4th; Ryan Thieme/Jakob Craig/Mia Case/Mae Whitcomb (GL-U20-1) 4th; Noah Erickson/Cooper Lennox/Linnea Urban/Grete Engels (MW-U20-2) 9th. New England won the Alaska Cup as the top team, but Midwest was not far behind in second place! Host club, Loppet Nordic Racing collected yet another club title. And St. Paul Highland Park scored second place in the school standings! Results linked in along with photosets from all three relay races.
Junior Nationals: Classic Coverage
March 11, 2022Another incredible day of racing, keep both athletes and parents out of breath as mass start classical races were the featured event at Junior Nationals Friday. Midwest U16 sensation Sydney Drevlow captured her second national title in dominating the girls 5K, and Molly Moening added another podium to her collection with third in the U18 girls 10K. Midwest skiers filled the leaderboards in a spectacular day of racing: Adrik Kraftson (MU18) 4th; Jonathan Clarke (MU18) 5th; Cooper Camp (MU18) 6th; Benon Brattebo (MU18) 8th; Cooper Lennox (MU20/Northern Michigan University) 8th; Maggie Wagner (FU18) 5th; Margo Nightingale (FU18) 6th; Jordan Parent (FU18) 7th; Hailee Zimpel (FU18) 9th; Mia Case (FU20 GL/College of St Scholastica) 4th; Gretchen Haggenmiller (FU20/Northern Michigan University) 8th; Lauren McCollor (FU20/Northern Michigan University) 10th; Miles Miner (MU16) 6th; Josh Frett (MU16) 8th; Hanna Koch (FU16) 6th; Inga Wing (FU16) 7th. Full results linked in, along with another round of huge photosets. Saturday wraps up Junior Nationals with mixed team relays!
NCAA Championships: Classic
March 10, 2022Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah hosted the first leg of NCAA Championships on Thursday, with collegiate athletes racing 5K and 10K classic distances for the women and men respectively. Top Midwest performances in the women's field came from Michigan Technological University's Anabel Needham and Nea Katajala who both had top ten finishes, placing 4th and 7th. For the men's field, Kjetil Baanerud from Northern Michigan University lead the group with a 14th place finish. One of the trio heavily favored to win, Novie McCabe of the University of Utah claimed the women's classic title, with her teammate Sophia Laukli taking second in a tie with Anna Bizyukova from the University of Vermont. Also from the University of Vermont, Ben Ogden stood atop the podium on the men's side, holding off the Norwegian challengers who took second and third, the University of Denver's Andreas Kirkeng and the University of Colorado Boulder's Magnus Boee. Skiers will have a day to recuperate before they head out for the second leg of NCAA Championships: freestyle racing—15K for the women, 20K for the men.
NCAA Championships Preview
March 9, 2022The event collegiate athletes have had their sights set on all season, NCAA Championships are this week at the Soldier Hollow venue in Midway, Utah. Racing starts on Thursday with the women taking to the course first in a 5K classic individual start, followed by the men skiing 10K in the same technique. Our preview has all of the details you'll need to keep up with the action.
Junior Nationals: Sprints Coverage
March 9, 2022A full days work on the trails of Theodore Wirth on Wednesday as classic sprint titles were contested. The Midwest once again scored well, placing five athletes on the podium: Mia Case (FU20, GL) second place; Lauren McCollor (FU20) third place; Molly Moening (FU18) third place; Adrik Kraftson (MU18) third place; Miles Miner (MU16) second place. Other top Midwest results: Isak Nightingale (MU20) 13th; Jordan Parent (FU18) 7th; Maggie Wagner (FU18) 10th; Benon Brattebo (MU18) 4th; Cooper Camp (MU18) 6th; Jonathan Clarke (MU18) 7th; Andrew DeFor (MU18) 8th; Owen Williams (MU18, GL) 9th; Sydney Drevlow (FU16) 8th; Josh Frett (MU16) 8th; Daniel McCollor (MU16) 9th. Results linked in along with large photosets from the heats. Racing resumes Friday with mass start classic races.
Junior Nationals: Freestyle Coverage
March 7, 2022Junior Nationals fired up the competition at Theodore Wirth on Monday with individual start freestyle races. The Midwest had a very strong day, lead by Adrik Kraftson (MU20) and Sydney Drevlow (FU16) winning national titles and joining them on the podium were Maggie Wagner (FU18) second and Inga Wing (FU16) third. Additional top results: Jasper Johnston (MU20) 5th; Davis Isom (MU18) 6th; Lauren McCollor (FU20) 7th; Molly Moening (FU18) 10th; Sam Stertz (MU20) 10th; Mia Case (FU20, GL), Daniel McCollor (MU16) 14th. Other champions: Michael Earnhart (MU20, AK), Nina Seemann (FU20, NE), Ava Thurston (FU18, NE), and Tabor Greenberg (MU16, NE). Full results linked in, along with huge photos. Tuesday is a rest day, with classic sprints filling the schedule on Wednesday.
USCSA National Championships March 6-12
March 6, 2022The U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) will host its 5-day long annual Collegiate National ChampionshipsTM from March 6-12th, 2022 in Lake Placid, NY. Over 510 competitors will compete for National collegiate titles in alpine, nordic, snowboard and freeski events at the same sites that hosted the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics.
Junior Nationals: Opening Ceremonies
March 6, 2022The 2022 Junior Nationals competition held it's opening ceremonies on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis. Using the downtown skyline as a backdrop, the teams marched across the Stone Arch Bridge (after a length snowball fight), and then gathered in Father Hennepin Park for the national anthem, words of encouragement and tips from Olympian Lindsay Williams, and welcoming remarks from Loppet executive director Claire Wilson. Racing begins on Monday with individual 5K and 10K freestyle races at Wirth.
Junior Nationals Preview
March 4, 2022Junior Nationals returns to Theodore Wirth this week, Mar 6-12! We've got a bit of history and a look the big event, including some of the Midwest favorites. Make your plans to pack the courses and cheer the athletes on!
Collegiate Racing Recap: EISA, RMISA
March 3, 2022NCAA Championships are just around the corner, and with that in mind, athletes from the EISA and RIMSA collegiate divisions were putting it all on the line this past weekend to clinch last-minute berths. Paying particular attention to those who qualified with Midwest roots, Luke Brown dives into who made the cut, with bonus coverage of those who were overseas for the U23 World Ski Championships.
Midwest Juniors Team Sprints Tuneup
March 1, 2022Midwest Junior National athletes gathered at Theodore Wirth on Tuesday evening for a final tuneup event -- some fun team sprint racing on a short loop past the Trailhead. Junior Nationals, being held this year at Theodore Wirth, will have opening ceremonies Sunday with the first races on Monday!
MCSA Midwest Collegiate Cup: American Birkebeiner Update
February 28, 2022Luke Dykowski provides a full recap on the final event of the Midwestern Collegiate Ski Association competition, the American Birkebeiner.
Midwest, Great Lakes Junior National Teams Announced
February 24, 2022Earlier this week the teams for Junior Nationals, as well as U18 and U16 trips, were announced. Junior Nationals will be held in Minneapolis, at Theodore Wirth, March 6-12th.
Collegiate Racing Recap: CCSA, EISA
February 24, 2022Collegiate athletes across the country were looking for ways to punch their ticket to NCAA Championships entering the final few weeks of the season, including the CCSA division who held their regional championships this past weekend. In this week's Collegiate Racing Recap, Luke Brown breaks down what each of the other major collegiate decisions were up to over the weekend, and what they have left on the schedule.
MCSA Midwest Collegiate Cup: Regional Championships
February 22, 2022MCSA held their regional championships this past weekend at CAVOC trails in Rhinelander as twelves teams competed to qualify for the USCSA National Championships. Luke Dykowski has a recap, along with a preview of their Birkie competition.
Mayor's Challenge Coverage
February 21, 2022The Mayor's Challenge wrapped up two days of junior competition, and the end of the Junior National Qualifiers, at Theodore Wirth on Monday. Sunday featured classical sprints, with State champion Cooper Camp winning the boys final, and Molly Moening taking the girls final. U16 sprint victories were earned by Josh Frett and the other State champion, Sydney Drevlow. Monday was an individual start freestyle event, 10K for the U18/U20 and 5K for the U16. A number of athletes sat out the final race, but the day still saw some strong results. Adrik Kraftson topped the boys 10K field and Maggie Wagner had the best girls 10K time. Daniel McCollor and Sydney Drevlow won the 5K races. Results linked in, along with videos of the boys sprints and photos from the 10K freestyle races.
Collegiate Racing Recap: CCSA, EISA
February 16, 2022With conference championships less than a week away in some divisions, collegiate athletes are dialing in their workouts and looking to peak at just the right moment. Analyzing results from this past weekend, Luke Brown assess just how those efforts are shaping up, particularly for those with Midwest roots.
MCSA Midwest Collegiate Cup: Vasaloppet USA
February 14, 2022Over 75 collegiate skiers turned out for the Vasaloppet USA races on Saturday morning! Read Luke Dykowski's full recap on the competition and standings.
Collegiate Racing Recap: EISA, RMISA
February 9, 2022Fast approaching Regional and NCAA Championships, collegiate athletes from the EISA and RMISA divisions were hard at work racing this past weekend, while CCSA had the weekend off. Coverage from Luke Brown keeps us in the loop on where Midwestern skiers placed and where they will be heading next.
MCSA Midwest Collegiate Cup: Mt. Ashwabay Summit Skiathlon Update
February 8, 2022The Midwestern Collegiate Ski Association (MCSA) conducted its second race of the 2021-22 season last weekend, with a record-breaking field taking to the trails in snowy Bayfield, Wisconsin.
Collegiate Racing Recap: CCSA, RMISA
February 4, 2022The last weekend of January saw the CCSA and RMISA NCAA divisions in racing action in Houghton, Michigan (CCSA) and Fairbanks, Alaska (RMISA), while the EISA had a bye week. Offering a detailed look at both events, Luke Brown reviews the results and recaps the races.
Collegiate Racing Recap: EISA, CCSA
January 25, 2022Undeterred by the cold weather gripping the nation, the collegiate racing circuit continued on to Mt. Itasca (CCSA) and the St. Michael's Carnival (EISA) for another weekend of racing. Here to get us up to speed is Luke Brown with highlights and more.
MCSA Midwest Collegiate Cup: Half Noque Update
January 24, 2022The Midwestern Collegiate Ski Association (MCSA) returned to racing last weekend, with a field of seventy-seven skiers beginning the chase for the 2021-22 Midwest Collegiate Cup at the Upper Peninsula’s Half-Noquemanon.
Coleraine JNQ/CCSA Classic Coverage
January 23, 2022Classic mass start races were contested Sunday at Mt. Itasca in Coleraine, MN. Emil Book Bratbak,CSS, bested Kjetil Banerud, NMU, in a photo finish in the 10K race with Kristoffer Karsrud, NMU, just behind in third. MTU's Henriette Semb came in a half second in front of teammate Anabel Needham with NMU's Merle Richter third for the women's 7.5K race. Jordan Parent topped the U18/U20 field, finishing 4th overall. Adrik Kraftson completed the weekend sweep, taking the men's 7.5K race. Best performances from the U16 field came from Anders Westanmo (11th overall) and Sydney Drevlow (9th overall). Photos from Dave Zoll linked in.
Coleraine JNQ/CCSA Freestyle Coverage
January 22, 2022Saturday at Mt. Itasca featured individual start classic races on a challenging course. In the CCSA races, Kjetil Banerud took the men's 15K and Anabel Needham the women's 10K. Adrik Kraftson posted the top 10K time in the U20/U18 race, while Sydney Drevlow crushed the 5K U16/U18/U20 event. Sunday will feature mass start classic races, with the events being delayed two hours due to forecast cold weather. Photos from Dave Zoll linked in.
Collegiate Racing Recap: EISA, RMISA
January 18, 2022Getting back into the swing of things following the 2022 US Cross-Country Ski Championships, two of the three major collegiate divisions returned to racing action with the Colby Carnival (EISA) and the Sun Valley SuperTour (RMISA). Catch up with recaps and results from both events, courtesy of Luke Brown. Bonus: EISA photos from Linda Kerker.
U18 Nations Trip Cancelled
January 15, 2022In an email to the coaches and parents, the US announced it was cancelling the U18 Nations trip to Norway at the end of January due to covid concerns.
Collegiate Racing Recap: CCSA, RMISA
January 10, 2022With the 2022 US Cross-Country Ski Championships in the books, Luke Brown looks back at the top results from collegiate athletes in the CCSA and RMISA NCAA divisions, and looks ahead at what's scheduled for all three major NCAA divisions in the coming weeks.
Midwest Juniors Earn International Competition Trips
January 10, 2022The US Cross-Country Ski Championships had a bonus for juniors: selection criteria for the U18 Nations, World Junior and U23 World Championships, all being held in Norway later this winter. Midwest juniors earning their way onto the teams include Adrik Kraftson and Molly Moening for the U18 trip, and Abigail Jarzin, Luci Anderson, and Anabel Needham on the U23 World Champs trip. Cooper Camp was named first alternate for the U18 trip.
US Nationals: Classic Sprints Coverage
January 7, 2022The final event of the US Cross-Country Ski Championships, classic sprints, took place on Friday in Midway, Utah with temperatures soaring into the 50's. Ian Torchia was the Midwest's top skier on the men's side, making it all the way to the final where he would finish 5th to a Magnus Boee victory. Championing the Midwest on the women's side were Hannah Rudd and Margie Freed, who both made the final. Rudd went on to claim a spot on the podium, finishing third to Katherine Ogden and Caitlin Patterson, and Freed ended the day in 6th. Peter Hinds and Nina Schamberger were the top of their class in the junior men's and women's races, with Hayden Ulbrich (17th) and Mia Case (13th) having the best performances for the Midwest. Results are posted.
US Nationals: Classic Distance Coverage
January 6, 2022Returning from a day off, the US Cross-Country Ski Championships resumed on Thursday with classic distance races. The men's race was won by the Midwest's own Adam Martin, and Adrik Kraaftson was the fastest Midwest junior in 55th. For the women, Caitlin Patterson crossed the line first, with Hannah Rudd (8th), Rosie Frankowski (9th), Margie Freed (12th), Abigail Jarzin (16th), and Michaela Keller-Miller (17th) all top 20 finishers for the Midwest. In addition, Molly Moening was the fastest Midwest junior in 61st. Friday will feature the final races and only SuperTour event of the the US Cross-Country Ski Championships, classic sprints. Photos of today's races from Jackie Schneider and Linda Kerker are up, and results are linked in.
US Nationals: Freestyle Distance Coverage
January 4, 2022Tuesday marked Day 2 of the US Cross-Country Ski Championships in Midway, Utah. Scott Patterson took home the top prize in the men's distance freestyle race, followed closely by Midwest skiers Adam Martin (4th) and Ian Torchia (5th). Rosie Brennan, home from the World Cup, dominated the women's field and easily took the victory. Second place was a much closer contest with Rosie Frankowski coming out on top. Margie Freed, Hannah Rudd, and Abigail Jarzin all pulled out top 10 results as well. In the junior women's race, Kate Oldham won and Inga Wing (20th) was the top athlete for the Midwest, finishing as the second overall U16 skier. The junior men's race was won by Walker Hall, and Adrik Kraftson, Colin Freed, and Roger Anderson all rounded out the top 20 for the Midwest. Results linked in, photos posted from Tryg Solberg and Jackie Schneider.
US Nationals: Freestyle Sprints Coverage
January 2, 2022The US Cross-Country Ski Championships opened on Sunday in Soldier Hollow, albeit a bit delayed due to cold weather, with freestyle sprint races. JC Schoonmaker, fresh off the World Cup circuit, took the victory in the men's division. John Schwinghamer was the top Midwest skier, finishing 12th. On the women's side, Caitlin Patterson claimed the sprint title as Rosie Frankowski earned her way into the final, finishing 6th. Junior final victories went to Finegan Bailey and Kendall Kramer. Top Midwest results came from Cooper Camp (6th) and Lauren McCollor (4th). Results linked in, along with photos from Jackie Schneider.
Biathlon: Youth, Junior Teams Named for International Events
January 1, 2022Seventeen youth and junior athletes have been selected to represent Team USA at upcoming international events, including the 2022 IBU Youth/Junior World Championships in Soldier Hollow, Utah, Feb. 23-March 2. Among those selected are Minnesotans Cheresa Bouley, Emma Stertz, and Matej Cervenka along with Duluth's Alexandra Rud (Norway).
Collegiate Racing Season Preview
December 14, 2021Luke Brown is back again this season, bring us the latest on the collegiate racing scene. Check out his season preview, including full rosters of all the Midwest skiers racing across the three major divisions.
MCSA Season Preview
December 13, 2021Building on their continued competition growth, Midwest Collegiate Ski Association (MCSA) Nordic is back and bigger than ever. They are now the largest collegiate Nordic league in the USCSA. The 2021-22 season racing schedule has been announced.
Cable SuperTour/JNQ Classic Distance Coverage
December 12, 2021The Gitchi Gami Games wrapped up a long weekend of racing with classic distance races on Sunday. Midwest skiers continued their run of great performances as Adam Martin won the men's 15K event with Zak Ketterson second, and Canadian Philippe Boucher third. Alayna Sonnesyn captured the women's 10K title, Becca Rorabaugh second and Rosie Frankowski third. Top U20 skiers were Brian Bushey and Avery Tolbert, U18 best was Jonathan Clarke and Lily Brown. Josh Frett and Hanna Koch won the U16 5K races. Results linked in, photos of the 15K and 10K races by Jackie Schneider posted.
Cable SuperTour Classic Sprints Coverage
December 11, 2021A full day of racing on the challenging terrain at the Birkie trailhead in Cable as skiers competed in classic sprints. Midwest's own Zak Ketterson dominated the men's open (top 30), taking the sprint title. Not to be outdone, Alayna Sonnesyn skied a smart sprint final to take the women's final. In the junior open, Benon Brattebo and Inga Wing took their U18/U20 finals. Results linked in along with photos from Jackie Schneider of the top 30 heats and some of the U18/U20.
Cable SuperTour Freestyle Coverage
December 10, 2021The SuperTour arrived in Cable, WI, Friday for a pair of 15K freestyle races on a World Cup category course. Canadian Philippe Boucher snatched victory in front of two Midwest rooted skiers as Adam Martin and Zak Ketterson rounded out the podium. Rosie Frankowski and Alayna Sonnesyn continued the Midwest theme, finishing 1-2 for the women with Mariah Bredal taking third. Results linked in, photos from Jackie Schneider posted.
Duluth SuperTour/JNQ Freestyle Distance Results
December 5, 2021Dodging major snowfall, the SuperTour/JNQ series in Duluth raced freestyle format Sunday. Rosie Frankowski topped the women's field, posting the only sub-19 minute time in the 5K race. In the men's 10K, Zak Ketterson skated to the best time. Victoria Dybwad and Michael Earnhart had the top U20 times, Grace Zanni and Trey Jones were best of the U18 field. U16 victories were earned by Anna Peikert and Daniel McCollor. The CXC Cup series moves to Cable next weekend.
Duluth SuperTour/JNQ Freestyle Sprints Results
December 4, 2021A near perfect day for racing Saturday on a man-made snow loop at Grand Avenue in Duluth, as the SuperTour and JNQ qualifying began. Taking the SuperTour freestyle sprints on the day were APU skiers Tyler Kornfield and Becca Rorabaugh. Brian Bushey won the boys U18/U20 title with Grace Zanni first for the girls. U16 titles went to Daniel McCollor and Inga Wing. Sunday could be interesting with heavy snowfall expected for the freestyle distance events.
College of St. Scholastica Open House
November 28, 2021Heading to Duluth this weekend for the opening races? The College of St. Scholastica is hosting an open house for prospective collegiate skiers -- RSVP by Dec 1st!
NEG Camp Report: Cooper Camp
November 9, 2021Midwest elite junior, and Mpls Southwest skier, Cooper Camp participated in the National Elite Group training camp in Park City, Utah last month. Read about his experiences with this unique group of upcoming junior athletes.
CSS Ski Team: Raise To Rise Week
October 12, 2021The College of St. Scholastica Nordic ski team is taking on the rest of the CSS athletics in a fundraising drive this week. Participation will be measured by the total number of gifts, so even the smallest donation helps them win.
Midwest Coaches Sought for March Junior Trips
September 26, 2021CXC is seeking candidates for the March junior trips, including Junior Nationals in the Twin Cities,, U18 trip to Maine and U16 trip to Idaho.
UW-Green Bay Names Sam Myers as New Head Nordic Coach
September 14, 2021UW-Green Bay Director of Athletics Josh Moon has named Sam Myers the next head coach for the Green Bay Phoenix Nordic ski teams. Myers will begin his first day as head coach on Monday, Sept 13th, and will serve as the leader and director for both the men's and women's Nordic ski programs at UW-Green Bay.
NNF: Double the Drive for 25
August 29, 2021While still a few months until the start of the Drive for 25, the National Nordic Foundation (NNF) is already planning big goals including doubling their $25 donations and unlocking a large matching grant. One of the ways you can help with this prep is becoming an ambassador fundraiser.
2020-21 Season Highlights
May 1, 2021Catch highlights plus full results and photos from the 2020-2021 collegiate racing season.