The Johnnie Nordic ski team returns to the Upper Peninsula for the NCAA Central Regional this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-19, in Houghton, Mich.

A LOOK AT THE JOHNNIES: Saint John's finished eighth at the 2011 Central Collegiate Ski Association (CCSA) Championships hosted by Northern Michigan last weekend. Senior Jared Sundstrom (Proctor, Minn.) led the Johnnies in both races, finishing 32nd (34:16) in Saturday's 10k Freestyle and 21st (1:02.20) in Sunday's 15k Classic. Freshman Nate Engel (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) followed Sundstrom in 39th (35:22) on Saturday and sophomore Ethan Evenson (Mounds View, Minn./Irondale) claimed 41st (35:31).

On Sunday, freshman Kellen Witschen (Aurora, Minn./Mesabi East) was the second Johnnie to cross the finish line in 28th (1:03.34), while Engel finished 36th (1:05.29).