Interview: Kyle Bratrud

May 31, 2015

Kyle Bratrud, mens 15K champion, US Nationals, January 4, 2015

Kyle Bratrud wrapped up his collegiate career in spectatular style, collecting the US National mens 15K freestyle championship title in Houghton last January, and going on to represent the US at U23 World Championships, and eventually the World Championships in Falun, Sweden, as well as finishing 4th American in the NCAA freestyle championships.  While it was a little surprisingly the Bratrud was left off the US Development squad, he has joined the CXC Elite team and will be working hard to top last season's performance.   We held a brief interview with Bratrud last week...

  • Can you share with us where you are at with your collegiate life and work?
    As of now, I am officially done with school. I graduated NMU with a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and a Minor in History. As this point, I am putting my schooling and work on hold to pursue my Olympic aspirations.
  • NMU men with a little late (early?) season snow, May 19, 2015 (Credit: Ian Torchia)
    Where are you living these days, training full time or working as well? What are your plans for this fall and winter? Will you be staying in the Marquette area and working with NMU?
    I am living in Marquette and training fulltime. It is great to continue working with Sten Fjeldheim and the fast boys at NMU. This place has been my home for the past four years and is a major factor for the success I have had. I will continue to work with NMU this fall, along with attending various camps out East and West. I will race for CXC this winter.
  • How about the racing season, will you be racing with the collegiate crowd, traveling around the US circuit, or perhaps racing at some of the Midwest marathon series events?
    I plan to race the Supertour and qualify for U23's and hopefully the Canadian World Cups in March.
  • Backtracking a bit... how did you come to the decision to race for CXC this season?
    I chose to race for CXC this winter because they have been extremely flexible with allowing me to continue working with a successful program while funding and supporting me at the next level. While the program is in a bit of a rebuilding stage regarding the elite team, I hope I can lead by example and others will follow.