NMU’s Henriette Nilssen, MTU’s Markus Groethe win 7.5 kilometer individual races
DULUTH, Minn. — Henriette Nilssen led the Wildcats to open the 2026 NCAA Central Regional Skiing Championships, claiming gold in the classic individual start.
In today’s race, skiers were released individually in increments, and not all at once.
A junior from Nittedal, Norway, Nilssen claimed gold in the 7.5k classic interval start with a time of 22:10.9, a full 26 seconds ahead of second place. Nilssen posted lap times 7:13.0 at the 2.5k mark, 7:22.8 at the 5k, and 7:34.6 into the finish time, all of which were the fastest at each marker, respectively. Nilssen now has gold in her last three races dating back through the conference championships.
Greta Hansen (22:36.6) and Bridget Burns (22:59.3) of Michigan Tech claimed silver and bronze. The full list of results from today can be found here.
Lauren McCollor, a fifth-year athlete from Pylmouth, Minnesota, finished just off the podium in fourth at 23:08.5. McCollor’s times were second after the first marker and third after the 5k mark before crossing the line at what would eventually be fourth.
Senior transfer Greta Leitheiser was next, finishing sixth at 23:08.5. Leitheiser’s times at all of the markers would end up being the sixth-fastest among the field once everyone crossed the line.
Emma Klevenberg finished eighth at 23:42.7 to round out the ‘Cats in the top-10. Lena Kjelstru finished 13th, Meija Peterson 16th, Riley Grossklaus 21st, Monet Argeropoulos 27th, and Jordan Parent DNF.
The team now gears up for the 20k skate mass start tomorrow.
Luke Fricker led the Wildcats to open the 2026 NCAA Central Regional Skiing Championships, claiming silver in the classic individual start.
In today’s race, skiers were released individually in increments, and not all at once.
A senior from Canmore, Alberta, Fricker earned silver with a time of 21:11.1, just 12 seconds back of Markus Groethe (Norway) of Michigan Tech. Fricker’s lap times of 6:48.2, 7:05.6, and 7:17.1 were all second to Groethe. The duo crushed the field, as third place Anders Westanmo of Michigan Tech claimed bronze at 22:19.3, a minute and 20 seconds behind the lead.
Adrik Kraftson claimed seventh with his time of 22:39.5. Kraftson was in third after 2.5k (7:00.5), fourth at the 5k mark (7:40.0), and would finish seventh at the final marker (7:55.9). Jonathan Clarke rounded out the ‘Cats in the top-10, finishing tenth after climbing from 14th at the 2.5k mark to 10th at the finish.
Caden Albrecht finished at 23:21.0, claiming 12th, followed by Hendrik Peterson (25:23.7) and Jack Dahlby (26:08.8) in 25th and 27th to round out the ‘Cats in the field.
