LAKE PLACID, NEW YORK -- The NMU men's nordic ski team concluded competition in the freestyle sprint at the US National Championships.
The second event of the US National Championships was the freestyle sprint, an event with multiple stages. The top 30 of a field of 366 skiers, which included everything from professionals to collegiate athletes, advanced to the quarterfinals from the qualifying round. The full results can be found
here.
Luke Fricker was the leading Wildcat, finishing 54th overall and first among CCSA skiers with his time of 2:49.11, just three seconds out of a qualifying spot and just shy of eight seconds from the leader. The second CCSA skier to finish was
Caden Albrecht, who landed 64th overall with his time of 2:50.36, fractions of a second behind Fricker.
Jack Dahlby finished 183rd overall with his time of 2:59.31, and the trio of
Jonathan Clarke (216th, 3:01.48),
Hendrik Peterson (221st, 3:02.01), and
Adrik Kraftson (227th, 3:02.53) all finished around a second of eachother.
Zanden McMullen, a six-year veteran on the United States Ski Team, claimed the top spot heading into the knockout stages with his time of 2:41.42.
NMU now looks to Thursday, where they compete in the 20k Mass Start. The field begins at 11:45 a.m. ET.
Sunday, January 4, 2026
LAKE PLACID, NEW YORK -- The Wildcats had a pair of top finishes in the 10k at the US National Championships.
This 10k interval start race acted as the first CCSA NCAA qualifying race of the season. A full list of results can be found
here.
Reigning CCSA top point-earner from last season, senior
Luke Fricker, led the Wildcats and finished 30th overall and second among CCSA skiers in a field of 370+ racers with his time of 26:59.5. Fricker rose his way through the race, as he started at 68th in the first 1.25k before jumping 20 spots by the 3.75k mark. Fricker floated in the 40's until the 8.75k marker, where he moved to 31st before ending in 30th at the final line.
Eighth-highest point earner in the conference a season ago, senior
Jonathan Clarke, finished 46th overall and 4th among CCSA skiers with his time of 27:22.7. Clarke opened with the 23rd-quickest time in the first 1.25k before falling to 53rd at the 3.75k marker. Fricker climbed his way back up in the final 6.25k before finishing in his 46th spot.
Transfer sophomore
Caden Albrecht (28:36.4) finished 100th, reigning CCSA Skier of the Year,
Adrik Kraftson, finished 115th (28:50.1).
Senior
Hendrik Peterson claimed the 250th spot with his time of 30:48.3, and freshman
Jack Dahlby finished 369th at 37:09.5.
