On January 28th, the CCSA teams traveled to Rhinelander, WI, for the CCSA Qualifier hosted by the Northwoods Nordic Ski Club, University of Wisconsin Green Bay and College of Saint Scholastica. The race for the weekend was a classic interval start, 15K for the men and 10K for women.

Kjetil Banerud from NMU raced to the top position in the men’s field with time of 41:15.6. Teammate Lars Soensterud finished second, just a few seconds back. MTU’s Gaspard Cuenot was third in a time of 41:49.1 and just below the podium spots was Tamer Mische-Richter (4th) from Saint Scholastica and Jacob Ajax (5th) skiing for UWGB.

The women’s field was led by Vivian Hett from Northern who crossed the finish line in 31:50.2, an outstanding 1:33.1 ahead of another Wildcat, Kristen Bourne. The third spot was claimed by Scholastica’s Kelsey Dickinson. Michigan Tech women were led by Sarah Goble (6th) followed by Maria Hauer (7th) from Saint Cloud State. The top skiers for UWGB and Saint Olaf were Mykaela McMuellen (12th) and Daisy Richmond (22nd) respectively.

The next set of races will be held at Michigan Tech in Houghton, MI on 3rd and 4th of February.