Schumacher, Patterson earn two medals in two days in Michigan
Gus Schumacher
Two Anchorage skiers each won two medals in the first two days of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championship in Houghton, Michigan.
Gus Schumacher of Alaska Winter Stars racked up a gold and silver while Caitlin Patterson of the US Ski Team picked up a silver and bronze.
Schumacher, of Service High fame, claimed first in the freestyle sprint after winning all three heats in the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.
He outsprinted two opponents in the final to strike a gold medal and national championship.
Schumacher finished second in a field of 221 in the 15-K freestyle race.
Caitlin Patterson
A year ago, he made American history after helping the U20 4×5-K relay become the first-ever U.S. squad to win a gold medal at the World Junior Championships.
Patterson, of South High fame, was the top American finisher in the women’s 10-K freestyle, but Finland’s Riitta-Liisa Roponen won the race in a field of 176.
Patterson was third in the freestyle sprint after winning her heats in the quarterfinals and semifinals.