Kendall Gretsch takes home three national titles at the U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing Nationals in Bozeman, Montana.
BOZEMAN, Mont. - With a sweep of gold medals by Dan Cnossen (Topeka, Kansas) and Kendall Gretsch (Chicago, Illinois) at the 2018 U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing Nationals presented by Toyota, seven athletes claimed medals in the sitting class of biathlon sprint, cross-country sprint and cross-country mid-distance races in Bozeman, Montana.
Cnossen, a 2014 Paralympian, kicked off nationals with a gold in the biathlon sprint on Friday. His efforts never let up as he completed his trio of gold medals with first-place finishes in the cross-country sprint and cross-country mid-distance events. Paralympic bronze medalist Andy Soule (Kerrville, Texas) raced to three silver medals in the biathlon and cross-country events. Three-time Paralympian Aaron Pike (Park Rapids, Minnesota) took home two bronze medals in the biathlon sprint and cross-country sprint, while 2014 Paralympian Jeremy Wagner (Nānākuli, Hawaii) secured bronze in the cross-country mid-distance event.
Gretsch leaves nationals with three gold medals, becoming the national champion in the biathlon sprint, cross-country sprint and cross-country mid-distance, while teammate Joy Rondeau (Granby, Colorado) claimed three silver medals in the biathlon and two cross-country races. Liz Ann Kudrna (Bozeman, Montana) secured the bronze medal in the cross-country mid-distance race.
Following a successful national championships, four U.S. athletes and one guide will travel to Oberried, Germany, for the second stage of the world cup circuit with the World Para Nordic Skiing World Cup from Jan. 20-28.
In addition to Toyota, U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing is supported by BP.
RESULTS
Dan Cnossen: 3 gold (men’s biathlon sprint, cross-country sprint, cross-country mid-distance)
Kendall Gretsch: 3 gold (women’s biathlon sprint, cross-country sprint, cross-country mid-distance)
Liz Kudrna: 1 bronze (women’s cross-country mid-distance)
Aaron Pike: 2 bronze (men’s biathlon sprint, cross-country sprint)
Joy Rondeau: 3 silver (women’s biathlon sprint, cross-country sprint, cross-country mid-distance)
Andy Soule: 3 silver (men’s biathlon sprint, cross-country sprint, cross-country mid-distance)
Jeremy Wagner: 1 bronze (men’s cross-country mid-distance)
QUOTES
Kendall Gretsch
“I was happy with how things went at nationals. It was good to have another biathlon race to become a little more comfortable and experienced with that discipline. I thought it all went well.”
John Farra, director of high performance for U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing
“We’re incredibly happy with how our athletes performed at nationals. We have a World Para Nordic Skiing World Cup event coming up soon and we’re two months out from the Paralympic Winter Games, so we’re very pleased with where our athletes are at, both physically and mentally.”
FULL RESULTS
Full results from the U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing Nationals can be found here.
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