Central Athletes Have Strong Showing at 2024 US Nationals
National Team members from the Central Division and junior division athletes participated in the US Nationals/Flaming Leaves Festival competitions for ski Jumping and Nordic Combined held in Lake Placid, NY on October 12-13, 2024
11/5/20242 min read
US Nationals were held during the Flaming Leaves Festival in Lake Placid, NY over the weekend of October, 12-13, 2024. It included athletes from all over the US as well as some from Canada and Norway. The 2-day, 2-hill competition at the Lake Placid Olympic Jumping Complex crowned US National Champions in both Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined. The leaves were definitely flaming red, orange and gold, providing some spectacular backdrops for jumpers and spectators alike
National Team member and Central Division athlete, Sandra Sproch (Norge SKi Club) placed 7th in the first day's competition on the K90/HS100 meter jump. She followed that up with another 7th place finish on the K115/HS128 meter jump on Sunday. Sandra's been a member of the national team for two seasons and has a very bright future with the sport.
On the men's side, Central Division athletes also competed well. Those guys that are part of the National Team, finished the first day's competition on the K90/HS100 meter jump with Casey Larson (Norge) in 4th place. Ben Loomis (Flying Eagles Ski Club), a Nordic Combined athlete, in 5th, Andrew Urlaub (Flying Eagles) was 9th and Kevin Bickner (Norge) finishing up in 11th place. Our Junior Level athletes filled out the field with Isaac Larson (Ishpeming Ski Club) 18th and Isak Nichols (Development National Team/Norge) 19th. Anders Giese (Norge), also a Nordic Combined athlete, was 21st, while Maxim Glyvka (Development National Team/Norge) placed 23rd. Jacob Larson (St. Paul Ski Club), one of the youngest competitors, finished 29th.
The Nordic Combined cross country ski races later that afternoon, proved to be as exciting as the jumping competition. Ben Loomis battled hard, but was just edged out by National teammate Niklas Malacinski (Rocky Mountain Division). Ben finished in 2nd place for the combined event. Anders Giese, an up and coming junior nordic combiner, gave a strong performance coming in 9th overall.
Sunday's competition featured long flights on the K115/HS128. Our national team jumpers faired a bit better as Casey Larson was 2nd, Andrew Urlaub nabbed 3rd place. Kevin Bickner placed 7th. Maxim Glyvka had a much better day, finishing 14th, followed by Isak Nichols in 17th. Junior Jumper Isaac Larson was 18th, followed by Anders Giese, 19th, and Jacob Larson 24th.
Picture taken from a facebook post about the even by USA Ski Jumping.
