Montana State University finished fourth in the final team standings at the 2026 NCAA Ski Championships, with graduate student Simon Chappaz earning All-America honors on March 14 after placing eighth in the men’s 20K Freestyle event.
The result ties Montana State’s highest finish in program history. Five of the six Bobcat skiers placed among the top 25 at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah. In addition to Simon Chappaz’s performance, senior Katey Houser finished 13th and Felicie Chappaz, also a graduate student, took 23rd in the women’s race. On the men’s side, junior Gavin Galyardt placed 20th and sophomore Grey Barbier was 23rd.
“It is a little bittersweet when we were so close to third (place),” said MSU Nordic Head Coach Adam St. Pierre. “Had any of a number of things gone our way we could have caught DU, but it is hard to be disappointed with the week. After some reflection I’m sure we will be satisfied, but hungry for more.”
Houser led the MSU women with a time of 53:22.4, followed by Felicie Chappaz at 55:33.9 and sophomore Maeve MacLeod at 55:48.6 for a 27th-place finish. For the men, Galyardt posted a time of 48:51.5 and Barbier finished in 49:19.2 after Simon Chappaz’s eighth-place run.
St. Pierre praised his athletes’ efforts throughout the championship and reflected on those competing for Montana State for the last time. “The hardest part is knowing these were the last races for our seniors,” he said. “You always want them to go out on a high note instead of one that is a little bit bittersweet. I’m ecstatic that Katey Houser will continue racing, but sad that I won’t get to coach her as a Bobcat any more.”
