Michigan Tech skier Wes Campbell poses on the podium after winning the 15K skate race Sunday in Brillion, Wisconsin. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech University)

BRILLION, Wis. — The Michigan Tech Nordic ski teams raced at the Ariens Nordic CCSA Invitational on Sunday. Senior Wes Campbell won the 15K skate, taking home his second straight CCSA NCAA Qualifier and his first CCSA skate win of his career.

“We had a varied performance today as a team,” Huskies coach Tom Monahan Smith said. “The course was relatively flat which made it so you had to constantly keep the pedal down to ski fast today. Our student-athletes who were able to set a fast pace from the start of the race and keep the pedal down for all four race laps were the ones who came out on top.

“Some of our student-athletes had tougher race days in response to the really cold weather, and the reality of racing in extreme cold weather is that it does affect each person differently and can have a big impact on performance.”

Northern Michigan won the event in men’s, women’s, and combined standings. Michigan Tech placed second followed by Wisconsin-Green Bay, St. Scholastica, and St. Olaf.

“Congrats to NMU for earning the team win today,” Smith said. “We’ll be hungry for another chance next week at our home CCSA Invite.”

Campbell won by 5.9 seconds over NMU’s Luke Fricker. Freshman Noa Kam-Magruder placed sixth and senior Sam Stertz was seventh. Freshman Markus Groethe (ninth) and freshman Eddie Snider (10th) were also in the top 10.

A group of Huskies finished in a pack in spots six through nine in the women’s race. Junior Bridget Burns (sixth), junior Hannah Smart (seventh), sophomore Julia Junkkala (eighth), and sophomore Erica Kazin (ninth) led the Black and Gold.

Due to the temperatures, Saturday’s relay race was canceled.

Up next

Michigan Tech hosts its home event this weekend at the Tech Trails. The MTU CCSA Invitational will be a 5K classic on Saturday followed by a 20K skate on Sunday.