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MIDWAY, UT -- Courtesy:  NMU

Northern Michigan University sophomore Nordic skier Kyle Bratrud was named Tuesday to the United States Ski Team for the U23 World Championships, which will take place in Liberec, Czech Republic, Jan. 21-27.

Bratrud, a native of Eden Prairie, Minn., earned one of six slots on the national team based on points accumulated during the first three races held at the 2013 U.S. Cross Country Championships at Soldier Hollow Cross Country Ski Resort. He scored 125 points, ranking him fourth amongst his new teammates.

"It’s a great accomplishment for Kyle to be selected to the Junior World Team," NMU Nordic skiing coach Sten Fjeldheim said. "He’s worked very hard this season and he deserves it."

Bratrud had two top 10 finishes in the junior races. He finished second in the 10-kilometer classic on Jan. 6, scoring 80 points. In the 15K freestyle on Jan. 4, Bratrud scored 45 points with a fifth place finish.

He started the meet with a 16th place finish in the classic sprint on Jan. 2.

29 Wildcats have been selected to the Junior World Team under Fjeldheim.

Current NMU skier junior George Cartwright was the most selection in 2011.

Logan Hanneman (University of Alaska Fairbanks), Benjamin Saxton (FAST Performance Training), Tucker McCrerey (University of Utah), Sawyer Kesselheim and Forest Mahlen (APU Nordic Ski Center) are Bratrud’s teammates.