HOUGHTON, Mich. - Michigan Tech senior Oskar Lund was the overall winner of the 10-kilometer classic race at the Michigan Tech Challenge Sunday (Dec. 13). The Huskvarna, Sweden, native crossed the line in 31:18.

The Huskies had two other skiers finish in the top-10. Senior Jesse Lang finished fourth (33:20) and sophomore Petter Sjulstad was eighth (34:23).

Tech had two other men finish in the top-15 on the day. Senior Charlie Keller was 11th (34:49) and red-shirt freshman
Mac Brennan was 15th (35:49).

The men's team finished first with 18 points. Northern Michigan was second (16 points) and Wis.-Green Bay was third (11 points).

"Our guys enjoyed a pretty good day racing and it was nice to see them end up with the team win," said head coach Joe Haggenmiller. "I was happy to see Oskar earn the win. We will need the other guys to shrink the gap between the leaders and themselves."

For the second day in a row Henna Riikonen-Purtsi finished fourth to lead the women's squad. The Hantala, Finland, native finished the five-kilometer classic course in 19:13.

Two seniors finished in the top-ten. Elizabeth Quinley was fifth (19:18) and Jenna Klein was seventh (19:28).

Two skiers who will be red-shirting this season also turned in solid performances. Melanie Hoffman was 11th overall (20:12) and Lynn Duijndam was 12th (20:13).

"Henna turned in another good race today. Its good to see her near the leaders. Liz and Jenna also turned in good races."

Christina Gillis of Northern Michigan won the women's race in 18:37 to lead NMU to the women's team win with 20 points.

Tech was second with 14 points and Wis.-Green Bay was third with 11.

NMU also won the combined title with 36 points. Tech was second (32) and Wis.-Green Bay was third (22 points).

The next major competition for the Huskies will be the US National Championships in Anchorage, Alaska in early January. The team's next home appearance will be in the Keewenaw Nordic Ski Festival sponsored by The Library which will serve as a fundraiser for the team.