HOUGHTON, Mich. – Andreas Kirkeng is the U.S. Cross Country National Champion in men's freestyle after winning Monday's 10-kilometer race at the Michigan Tech Trails to kick off the 2023 collegiate campaign.
 
Kirkeng finished the interval start course in 24 minutes and 27 seconds to earn his third career collegiate victory. It was the sophomore's sixth college podium in 13 races, and his first win since taking home the RMISA Championship in the 10K classic last season.
 
Monday's race marked the start of Denver's NCAA campaign and was part of the RMISA Nordic Qualifiers, which features two races at the U.S. Cross Country National Championships to give athletes additional chances to earn points to qualify for the NCAA Championships in March. The skiers still competed in the overall national championship race, but the results from the western schools were pulled afterward to compile RMISA Nordic Qualifier scores for the meet. No team results are being calculated in the event.
 
Senior Bernhard Flaschberger joined Kirkeng at the top of the men's leaderboard by finishing fifth in the RMISA race and 10th overall (25:31.2). Junior Hanna Ray (30:05.9) led the Denver women by coming in 10th in their 10K freestyle on Monday (27th overall), while senior Vera Norli (30:50.0) placed 14th (40th overall).
 
"Today was a great day for the Nordic Pioneers in the opening college races at the U.S. National Championships," said Denver Nordic Head Coach Rogan Brown. "Hanna and Vera led the women and skied great races with some tough competition. Andreas continued his winning streak in North America this season with an impressive win in the men's race, while Bernie rounded out the top 10 overall. It's a great opportunity for the whole team to be here at U.S. Nationals, and we're looking forward to some more racing this week."
 
Sophomore Jonah Steinberg was the next men's finisher behind Flaschberger for the Pios in 24th in the RMISA Qualifier, while sophomore Elijah Weenig came in 26th and freshman Sivert Wulff completed his first collegiate event in 34th. Sophomore Bettina Burgess was the only other DU woman to compete on Monday and finished in 24th.
 
This week's races at the U.S. National Championships and U.S. Super Tour series are being hosted by Michigan Tech University at its trail system adjacent to campus. The weather on Monday was fairly mild, with temperatures above 30 degrees Fahrenheit during the races.
 
Kirkeng was joined on the RMISA podium by Alaska Fairbanks' Mike Ophoff and Joe Davies, who placed first and second, respectively.
 
Hailey Swirbul of APU Nordic Ski Center is the women's national champion and was followed close behind by Utah's Novie McCabe and Sydney Palmer-Leger, who placed first and second in the RMISA Qualifiers. Montana State's Tilde Baangman was third in the RMISA event and eighth overall.
 
UP NEXT: The Pioneers wrap up the RMISA Nordic Qualifiers on Wednesday with classic sprints at the U.S. National Championship. Denver will then compete in Houghton in the 20K classic as part of U.S. Nationals on Friday before wrapping up with freestyle sprints as part of the U.S. Super Tour series on Saturday.
 
NOTES

• Andreas Kirkeng's victory was the first of his NCAA career in the freestyle discipline, as his previous two wins came in classic.
• Benhard Flaschberger recorded his 16th career top-five finish.
• Hanna Ray picked up her seventh career top-10 finish and first-ever in freestyle.
• Denver women Selma Andersen, Aurora Cramer and Emma Larsson are not competing this week at U.S. Nationals, while Micah Steinberg of the men's squad remains out with an injury.

 
DENVER MEN INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (RMISA Qualifier)
1. Andreas Kirkeng, 24:27.0
5. Bernhard Flaschberger, 25:31.2
24. Jonah Steinberg, 27:13.7
26. Elijah Weenig, 27:20.1
34. Sivert Wulff, 28:42.4
 
DENVER WOMEN INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (RMISA Qualifier)
10. Hanna Ray, 30:05.09
14. Vera Norli, 30:50.3
24. Bettina Burgess, 33:03.3
DNS: Sidney Barbier
 
MEN'S 10K FREESTYLE TOP 10 (42 RMISA finishers): 1. Andreas Kirkeng, DU, 24:27.0; 2. Mike Ophoff, UAF, 25:12.4; 3 Joe Davies, UAF, 25:13.0; 4. Florian Winker, MSU, 25:23.9; 5. Bernhard Flaschberger, DU, 25:31.2; 6. Brian Bushey, UU, 25:43.3; 7. Reed Godfrey, MSU, 25:44.5; 8. Philipp Moosmayer, UAF, 25:58.7; 9. Christoper Kalev, UAF, 26:01.4; 10. Will Koch, CU, 26:04.6
 
WOMEN'S 10K FREESTYLE TOP 10 (31 RMISA finishers): 1. Novie McCabe, UU, 27:51.0; 2. Sydney Palmer-Leger, UU, 28:01.2; 3. Tilde Baangman, MSU, 29:16.0; 4. Kendall Kramer, UAF, 29:18.0; 5. Mariel Pulles, UAF, 29:18.2; 6. Karianne Dengerud, UU, 29:23.4; 7. Astrid Stav, UAA, 29:53.7; 8. Tuva Bygrave, UAA, 29:54.4; 9. Weronika Kaleta, CU, 29:59.1; 10. Hanna Ray, DU, 30:05.09

 
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