'Cats win conference championship

ISHPEMING, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University Nordic ski teams took home the Central Collegiate Ski Association titles over the weekend from Al Quaal Recreation Center. The men dominated both events only allowing one other skier to finish in the top three in classic and freestyle combined. The women’s team won by a one point margin over Alaska-Fairbanks.

Andy Liebner had is second win of the weekend on Sunday in the 20k classic race. Liebner finished two seconds (57:53.6) in front of teammate Martin Banerud who was second. Erik Soderman finished fourth as the final Wildcat in the scoring column as the green and gold had 86 points combined with 87 from the previous day to win by 24 over Alaska-Fairbanks (173-149).

John Parry of Alaska-Fairbanks finished third. Chris Bowler (12th), Kevin Cutts (13th) and Tom McFadden (37th) also crossed the line for NMU.

Christina Turman was once again the top finisher for NMU on the women’s side. Turman finished the 15k race in 49:44.1 for fourth place. Marie Soderman wasn’t far behind in sixth place and Monica Markvardsen was eighth to round out the scoring for the ‘Cats.

Alaska-Fairbanks had the highest team score in the classic with 78 points but NMU was able to defeat the Nanooks by one in the overall team score from the freestyle and classic (152-151).

Michigan Tech’s Malin Eriksson won the classic race with a time of 49:28.6.

Libby Ellis (10th), Ingrid Fjeldheim (18th) and Jordyn Ross (20th) also crossed the line for NMU.

The ‘Cats ski at the NCAA Regionals in Houghton next weekend (Feb. 18-19).

MALE CLASSIC RESULTS
FEMALE CLASSIC RESULTS
FINAL TEAM RESULTS

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