[ad_1]
Houghton, Mich – Michigan Tech Nordic skiing coaches Tom and Christine Monahan Smith have announced the addition of two men’s, two women’s and two new staff members for the 2022-23 season. The incoming class will be represented by student-athletes and staff from Utah, New Hampshire, Colorado, Minnesota and Michigan.
The Huskies graduated four team members last spring, including three members of the women’s team, one member of the men’s team and a graduate assistant coach. The 2022-23 Nordic Ski Team will be represented by eight women, including six returners, and 12 men, including 10 returners.
Coaches comments:
“Our outstanding 2022-23 recruiting class is represented by some of the best student-athletes in the entire US! All four of our student-athletes are All-Americans, and that’s a great standard for what it takes. Our program is attracting student-athletes from not only our state, but all over the country.” This is a big deal for the current success and future prospects of the MTU Nordic Ski Team. Student-athletes have chosen to go to a team where the best student-athletes are! These top-notch new additions will help us improve and continue our regional and national competition success as a team.
“Importantly, all of our incoming student-athletes chose to come to Michigan Tech because of the incredible value we offer as an academic institution, and from their academic success, this is one outstanding group of students! That’s very important! As we know from experience, there is a great balance between student and athlete at Michigan Tech.” It makes us successful as students and athletes. An approach that focuses on equal academic and athletic success is one of our core values. Both academic and athletic success is a true measure of success for our team, so recruiting consideration is easy! -It’s great to continue to recruit athletes and continue to bring them success in their collegiate student-athlete careers!
“All of these prospective student-athletes come to Michigan Tech for a recruiting visit, and while we recognize that this is not possible for every prospective student-athlete, we cannot say enough how important a visit is to choosing the right team and university. You can become an NCAA student-athlete! Michigan.” Tech is an amazing and unique place to be a student-athlete, and when prospective student-athletes visit us, we are confident that they and we are ready to truly make Michigan Tech the perfect fit!
“We’ve been waiting for this moment to officially announce the newest members of the team since the day they arrived at Michigan Tech for their recruiting visit. Welcome to the Nordic Huskies for the 2022-23 recruiting class!”
Recruiting department
Wes Campbell
Hometown: Park City, Utah
Wes Campbell comes to us from Park City High School, Park City Nordic Ski Club and Team Soldier Hollow.
Athletics highlights
• 1st U18 Classic 15km, 2022 US Cross Country Ski National Championships
• 3rd U18 Classic 10km, 2022 US Junior National Championships
• 1st U16 Classic 5km, 2020 US Junior National Championships
Academic achievements
• Graduated in the top 10 percent of Park City High School.
Considered major
• Computer engineering
Interests/Hobbies/Cool Facts
• Wes is a biathlete and has competed in several World Junior Championships for biathlon. He likes to play games, and his favorite place is Obertilliach.
Cat Stow
Hometown: Gilford, New Hampshire
Catherine “Cat” Stow comes to us from Guilford High School and the Gunstock Nordic Association.
Athletics highlights
• 1st U20 Mixed Relay, 2022 Junior National Championships
• 2nd U20 Classic 10km, 2022 Junior National Championships
• 3rd U20 Skate 5km, 2022 Junior National Championships
• 4th U20 Classic Sprint, 2022 Junior National Championships
• 2x Top 20 overall at Craftsbury & Lake Placid SuperTours, 2022
• Overall winner of the Cherry Walsh Easter Cup, 2021
• New Hampshire State Champion, 8th-12th grade
• 20th overall 2022 Craftsbury SuperTour Freestyle 7.5k Pursuit.
• 20th overall 2022 Lake Placid Super Tour Classic 10k mass start.
• 2021 Cherie Walsh Eastern Cup (JNQ) overall winner.
• NH State Champion 8th-12th grade.
Academic achievements
• New Hampshire Scholar, National Honor Society Officer, Class President.
Considered major
• Management information systems
Interests/Hobbies/Cool Facts
• I also enjoy hiking and running, taking care of succulents, and traveling when I get the chance.
Sarah Bivens
Hometown: Crested Butte, Colorado
Sarah Bivens comes to us from Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy, Vail Ski and Snowboard Club and Summit Nordic Ski Club.
Athletics highlights
• 5th U20 Skate 5km, 2022 US Junior National Championships
• 5th U20 Classic 10km, 2022 US Junior National Championships
• 5th U20 Team Relay, 2022 US Junior National Championships
• 20th overall junior ranking, 2022 US Cross Country Skiing National Championships
• 5th U18 Classic 5km, 2020 US Junior National Championships
• 10th U18 Ski Sprint, 2020 US Junior National Championships
Academic achievements
• Founder of the National Honor Society at Vayil Ski and Snowboard Academy, 2021 Vayil Ski and Snowboard Academy Student of the Year, President’s Award for Educational Excellence 6th-12th grade.
Considered major
• Undecided. Academic Interests: Human Biology, Biological Engineering
Interests/Hobbies/Cool Facts
• I love to race mountain bikes, climb local 14ers, swim in high alpine lakes and have outdoor adventures. I am also interested in drawing and recently picked up the guitar.
Sam Sturts
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Minnesota
Sam Sturts comes to us from Mt Itasca Winter Sports Center, and Serdal Upper Secondary School in Tonstad, Norway.
Sam will be a two-sport student-athlete for Michigan Tech and a member of the MTU cross country team.
Athletics highlights
• 10th U20 Ski 10km, 2022 US Junior National Championships
• 5th Youth Relay, 2021 IBY Youth/Junior World Ski Championships
• 1st Youth Super Sprint, 2021 USBA National Championships
• 21st Youth Sprint, 2020 IBU Youth/Junior World Ski Championships
Academic achievements
• Graduated from high school with a 3.75 cumulative GPA.
Considered major
• Economics
Interests/Hobbies/Cool Facts
• I spent the fall and winter of 2021 in Norway training for skiing and biathlon and racing.
Additions to the coaching staff
William Hapala
Hometown: Traverse City, Michigan
William “Will” Haapala will be the Student Manager of the MTU Nordic Ski Team for the 2022-23 season! It comes to us from Vasa Nordic Ski Club, coached by Tech alumni Sam Holmes and Ruth Oppliger! Will is a 2x Michigan State High School Ski Champion and a multiple time competitor at the US Junior National Championships. Will intends to study mechanical engineering and will begin his freshman year at Michigan Tech this year. We welcome Will as a new member of our staff for the 2022-23 season.
Mark Ousdian
Hometown: Shoreview, Minnesota
Mark Ausdigian will be a graduate assistant coach for the MTU Nordic Ski Team for the 2022-23 season! Mark has competed as a student-athlete on Tech’s Nordic ski team for the past four years and will serve as our GA while completing his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. We look forward to Mark transitioning into his new support role for the team.
[ad_2]
Source link
