Photo Credit: Michigan Tech

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Michigan Tech Nordic ski team struggled in the classical races at US Nationals due to poor waxing Wednesday (Jan. 7).

“Today was a very difficult day to wax for,” said head coach Joe Haggenmiller. “I feel terrible for our skiers who were forced to struggle with our poor waxing choices.”

Sophomore Melanie Hoffman was the top female finisher for the Huskies. She finished 50th in the 20-kilometer race in 1:29:02.

Tech only had two other women finish the race after many of the others dropped out of the race.

Senior Jenna Klein was 55th (1:29:47) and fellow senior Elizabeth Quinley was 56th (1:30:04).

Tech had two freshmen women compete in the junior five-kilometer race. Lynn Duijndam finished 35th (20:37) and Sarah Daniels was 58th (22:01).

Senior Jesse Lang was the top finisher in the men’s 30-kilometer race with a 48th place finish (1:47:56).

Junior Colin Singleton finished 52nd in 1:53:38.

Freshman Kelsey Boyer was the lone Tech skier in the junior boy’s 10-kilometer race finishing 53rd (35:49).

A number of Tech alum also competed. Kristina Owen finished 20th in the women’s 20-kilometer classic race in 1:19:39. Chris Seaman finished 25th (1:41:19) in the 30-kilometer classic race and Karl Walczak was 45th (1:46:06). Other finishes among the men include Erik Mundahl in 50th (1:49:06) and Andrew Joda was 54th (1:58:15).

Competition will conclude at US Nationals with the classical sprint races Friday (Jan. 8).