Two Montana State women and one man finished in the top 15 of the 7.5K Classic races at the 2026 NCAA Ski Championships in Midway, Utah on March 12.
The results are significant for Montana State as they aim to secure a top-three team finish at the championships, something no MSU ski team has achieved before.
Graduate student Felicie Chappaz placed 11th with a time of 26:56.8, while senior Katey Houser finished 13th at 27:18.5. This was Houser’s ninth top-13 finish in ten races this season. Sophomore Maeve MacLeod came in 31st with a time of 30:14.3. Montana State Nordic head coach Adam St. Pierre said changing course conditions affected those who started later in the morning individual start competition. “The course conditions changed a lot for the later starters,” St. Pierre said. “Katey started in the middle of the field and had a good race. Felicie and Maeve started toward the back of the field and had to ski through slush that the early starters did not have to deal with. I would estimate the course was at least a full minute slower for Felicie and Maeve than it was for the girls who started in the first 10 bibs.” He added, “Felicie finishing 11th was a good race, but knowing how much the snow deteriorated, she could have been top five with an earlier start spot. I’m really happy with how she skied. It is just unfortunate luck. Similarly, Maeve skied a very good classic race and ended up just outside of the top 30.”
Earlier, Montana State’s men competed on what St. Pierre described as “nice, firm conditions” that led to fast times and small gaps between places. Graduate student Simon Chappaz finished 14th (19:30.3), sophomore Grey Barbier took 18th (19:48.0), and junior Gavin Galyardt placed 30th (20:30.2). “All three men scored points for the team,” St. Pierre said, “so I’m happy with that.” Team scores include both men’s and women’s Alpine and Nordic competitions.
St. Pierre reported that after two events, Montana State ranked fourth overall with enough points to hold their position despite losing some ground to Denver, while Middlebury and Dartmouth were close behind.
Looking ahead, Alpine teams will compete Friday in Park City for slalom before Saturday’s freestyle event at Soldier Hollow concludes competition week for Nordic athletes.
“In general this season, we have been much better in skate races,” St. Pierre said about Saturday’s upcoming event.”We know how to pace and fuel for eight laps on this course in warm sloppy conditions because we did it 10 days ago at the RMISA Regional Championships.I am confident that we will throw down some strong performances on Saturday and pick up some ground on Denver as we chase a top three team finish at NCAA championships.No MSU ski team has achieved in history.”
