HOUGHTON, Michigan (January, 4 2016) – Jennie Bender, of Bridger Ski Foundation, and Reese Hanneman, of Alaska Pacific University Nordic Center, ruled the 1.5k freestyle sprints in day two of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships presented by L.L. Bean.
Jennie Bender won the women’s 1.5k freestyle sprints in day two of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships presented by L.L. Bean. Anne Hart was second, followed by Caitlin Patterson in third. (CCCSA-Mary Kozloski)
From the qualifiers all the way through to the final heats, both Bender and Hanneman showcased consistency and strength in sprinting throughout the day, winning the qualifiers and each of their heats. They have also been on the sprint podiums during Period I of the SuperTours - Hanneman has three sprint podium finishes so far this season including the National Title and Bender has two sprint podium finishes this season including the National Title.
As Bender adds a third national sprint title to her repertoire, SMS T2 Anne Hart put up an impressive fight, skiing neck and neck with Bender in the final heat. As they chased the finish line, Bender narrowly outsprinted Hard for the victory. Caitlin Patterson of Craftsbury Green Racing Project, on the podium for the second day in a row, in third.
Throughout the day Hanneman had convincing wins from the qualifiers through the heats in the men’s events, but in the final heat Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess of Bend Endurance Academy was not going to let Hanneman off easy.
“I knew I had to use my power and save it until the right point on the course and go for the win and I came away with the win,” said Hanneman.
Reese Hanneman won the men’s 1.5k freestyle sprints in day two of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships presented by L.L. Bean. Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess was second, and Julien Locke in third. (CCCSA-Mary Kozloski)
They fought throughout the course until the final stretch where Hanneman had a final boost of energy to cross the finish line just .35 seconds ahead of Blackhorse-von Jess to win the National title. Julien Locke of Team Blackjack finished third.
The U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships resume January 7 with a 30/20k freestyle race. Watch the action live on Thursday through live streaming coverage, courtesy of Central Cross Country Ski Association (CXC) and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Jennie Bender won her third National sprint title during a 1.5k freestyle sprint.
- Hannah Halvorsen (Sugar Bowl Academy) was the top U18 who finished fourth overall, and Sarah Bezdicek (Northern Michigan University) and teammate Vivian Hett were the top U20’s who finished 11th and 18th overall.
- Tomas O’Harra (APU Nordic Center) and Zak Ketterson (Loppet Nordic Racing) were the top U20’s who finished 13th and 22nd overall, respectively.
- In the men’s junior sprint competition, Henry Harmeyer (University of Vermont) was first, Lars Hannah (University of Denver) was second, Leo Hipp (Northern Michigan University) third and Logan Diekmann (Bridger Ski Foundation) fourth.
- In the women’s junior sprint competition, Lydia Blanchet (Dartmouth College) was first, Julia Kern (Stratton Mountain School) finished second and Katharine Ogden (Stratton Mountain School) finished third.
QUOTES
Reese Hanneman
It was a good day for me and I know I am in really great sprint form right now. As soon as I won the qualifier I knew I had to use my power and save it until the right point on the course and go for the win and I came away with the win.
RESULTS
Men’s and Women’s 1.5k freestyle sprint
