Montana State University freshman Michael Kneeland is set to compete in the upcoming Paralympic Games in Milan, Italy, from March 6 to 15. Kneeland, who was born without the use of his legs, will participate in four events: men’s sprint sitting biathlon, men’s sprint pursuit sitting biathlon, men’s cross-country skiing 10k interval start sitting, and cross-country skiing men’s sprint sitting.
Kneeland is a Presidential Scholar at MSU’s Honors College, majoring in electrical engineering with a minor in mechatronics. Both programs are part of the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering. Montana State University is recognized for its commitment to research opportunities and educational access for students, as well as its community engagement efforts through teaching and outreach. The university operates four campuses and Extension offices across all 56 Montana counties (https://www.montana.edu).
The Paralympics are an international competition for athletes with physical and intellectual impairments. They originated from the Stoke Mandeville Games in England in 1948, which were designed as rehabilitation competitions for World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries.
While competing in Italy, Kneeland will also be managing his academic responsibilities. He plans to take two exams proctored by his coach and write an essay for another class during the games. One of his classes is remote, allowing him flexibility to catch up when possible.
“I think the main challenge is probably just going to be time management,” Kneeland said. “These are both things I can do – when my body’s tired, I can focus on school. When my brain is tired, I can focus on training. So, it’s a great trade-off.”
Kneeland explained that he chose electrical engineering because he enjoys math and problem-solving: “Electrical engineering offers a variety of different jobs after college,” he said. “So, if I don’t like it, then I can work in different types of engineering jobs. Plus, it is a challenging major … I think it would be good for me to embrace that.”
Kneeland began skiing at age 17 and has since competed internationally in cross-country skiing and biathlon events such as World Cups. He balances his training schedule—up to 15 hours per week—with academic requirements and other activities including singing in his church choir and mentoring a robotics team at Bozeman’s Heritage Christian School.
“Michael comes to each class with a curious and joyful spirit,” said Jim Becker, MSU professor of electrical and computer engineering. “He is always engaged, always participating. While he is away at the Paralympics, he plans to keep pace with the rest of the class and has chosen to take a proctored exam while in Italy instead of waiting until his return to Bozeman. Michael’s commitment to excellence is so evident.”
During summer months, Kneeland trains on mountain boards connected to sit ski hardware around Bozeman neighborhoods like Triple Tree; winter training takes place at Crosscut Mountain Sports Center and Lindley Park alongside Team USA teammates Ty Wiberg, Nicole Zaino and Zhenghong Schlechte.
“Michael is fearless, which has enabled him to develop skills very quickly,” said Nick Michaud, U.S. Paralympics Nordic Head Coach for the Milano-Cortina Paralympic Games. “For example, he’ll happily repeat a difficult maneuvering corner in his sit ski again and again until he owns it. He doesn’t shy away from the hard reps — he leans into them. He also brings a playful attitude to serious work. His contagious laugh and lightness raise the energy of the entire group, even in the middle of demanding training blocks. That combination — joy and intensity — is rare.
“What really separates Michael as a competitor, though, is his commitment to growth,” Michaud continued. “He seeks feedback, applies it immediately and takes responsibility for his development. He competes with courage, but he trains with intention. That’s a powerful mix. We’re excited about where his trajectory is heading and proud to have him representing Team USA.”
Although Team USA had six spots each for men and women in both cross-country skiing and biathlon this year—and Kneeland ranked seventh among men—he received a bipartite invitation from international governing bodies due partly to an infection that impacted his performance at a World Cup event last November.
Kneeland outlined simple goals for these games: “One, I want to honor God for how he’s given me this opportunity,” he said. “Second, being able to shoot clean at least one race. Third, I would like to be able to do well on my physics exam and intro to electrical fundamental exam, preferably getting 90% or higher.”
Originally from Dandong on China’s border with North Korea where he spent twelve years in an orphanage before being adopted by Linda and Paul Kneeland at age twelve—Kneeland attributes much of his upper-body strength needed for skiing events from crawling as means of mobility due lack of wheelchair or prosthetics.
“I feel like I can meet the challenge with the top of my body because I just used my hands constantly at the orphanage,” Kneeland said.”I basically crawled like a monkey…Plus,I enjoy being outside in snow.So,I think that kind makes it perfect combination.I think that’s why I’m good at [cross-country skiing & biathlon].”
Linda Kneeland recalled purchasing Michael’s first wheelchair within an hour after adoption proceedings concluded.“After three major surgeries,she said ,he was able walk with prosthetics.He does feel it was worth it stand up peers rather than being trapped wheelchair.”
Reflecting on life changes,Kneeland called them evidence “of great plan someone had planned out for me…That’s not just coincidence;that’s not just accidental.That blessing.”
Linda Kneeland added,“I believe faith number one reason why stable ,disciplined,mature loving.Almost day got here interested learning all could about God invests relationship Jesus daily.This led incredible emotional stability,and God gets all credit all that Michael is all that does.”
Michael has five siblings,two MSU graduates among them.Fred graduated computer science Marilee cell biology neuroscience microbiology.His sister Chen was also adopted China.Other siblings Jessica Butterfield David Kneeland.
Media coverage of the 2026 Paralympics will include NBC,the USA Network,CNBC,and Peacock streaming service.The live-event schedule can be found online.
Montana State University continues its mission as Montana’s land-grant institution by supporting student success through hands-on research opportunities,campus-wide collaboration,and stewardship efforts benefiting communities statewide (https://www.montana.edu).
