By Alaska Pacific University
Published: January 26, 2023
2023 is off to a roaring start for the APU Nordic Ski team thanks to their exceptional performances locally, nationally, and abroad.
The U.S. Cross Country Ski National Championships took place Jan. 2-7 and was held in Houghton, Michigan. Overall, APU Nordic skiers earned seven out-of-the-eight total podiums.
Hailey Swirbul, an Olympic athlete and APU skier, had an outstanding week winning all four races she participated in; propelling her position to the current SuperTour leader.
For the men’s team, Zanden McMullen took home 3rd in the Men’s 20K classic race.
View the full list of 2023 U.S. Cross Country Championships race results here.
APU Nordic Ski Center U.S. National Championship Team
L-R/T-B: Erik Flora, Jack Novak, Ethan Howe, Hatcher Menkens, Buster Richardson, Garrett Butts, Karl Danielson, Thomas O’Harra, Michael Earnhart, Justin Lucas Galen Johnston, Forrest Mahlen, Eliza Rorabaugh, Hailey Swirbul, Liam Chisholm, Oskar Flora, Marit Flora, Lily Pannkuk, Natalie Hood, Emily Erickson, Piper Sears, Kesley Johannes, Marley Ireland, Naomi Kiekintveld. Not pictured, Zanden McMullen.
The same week as nationals, Dec. 31 – Jan. 8, Tour de Ski was in full swing in Europe. The competition featured three of APU’s Nordic skiers racing the Tour.
Rosie Brennan, a two-time Olympian, finished 4th, leading all U.S. women. Respectively, Scott Patterson finished 22nd, and Hunter Wonders 28th.
View the full list of results from Tour de Ski here.
On Jan. 22, Rosie Brennan continued her success with a 3rd place podium finish in the World Cup team sprint alongside U.S. sprint teammate Julia Kern in Livingo, Italy.
At the 55K Ski Marathon in Pontresina, Italy, Scott Patterson finished 44th.
In Lake Placid, New York, Garrett Butt placed 6th in the Men’s 30K.
Local racers in Anchorage also competed at the annual NSAA AMH Cup 15K Classic. For the men’s team, APU’s Buster Richardson, Karl Danielson, and APU Nordic Coach, Galen Johnston finished 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
In the women’s competition, Marit Flora finished 1st, APU Alumni Kikkan Randall 2nd, and Lily Pannkuk and Kelsey Johannes finished 4th & 5th.
The January competition results for the APU Nordic Ski team arrive in advance of the 2022-23 Junior/U23 World Championships Jan. 28 – Feb. 4 in Whistler, Canada, and the FIS World Championships Feb. 22 – March 5 in Planica, Slovenia.
