Colorado Mesa University Cross Country Ski Team

As this school year wraps up, we also close another memorable season for the CMU Cross Country Ski Team. Looking at this team photo, I’m filled with gratitude for this incredible group and for everyone who helped make this season possible.

Thank you to Colorado Mesa University, our Athletic Director for Club Sports Reese Kegans, the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association, the CMU Foundation, fellow coaches, supporters, families, alumni, sponsors, and the entire Western Colorado community. We truly felt your support everywhere we went.

But above all, thank you to our student-athletes.

Thank you for being kind, driven, respectful, and caring young people. Cross country skiing is a hard sport, and you embraced the training, racing, and travel with grit, humility, teamwork, and genuine care for one another.

And yes, they are also incredibly fast.

This season, our team produced two national champions, with two more athletes finishing highly ranked nationally in their events. What this group accomplished against much larger programs was remarkable, but what makes me proudest is how they represented CMU and our community along the way.

The best part? Every current team member is coming back next season. We’ll soon announce new teammates, next year’s race schedule, and some exciting plans for the future.

With all my heart: thank you to everyone who helped make this season so special.

Go Mavericks. 💙💛

- Marcin Wiesiolek, Head Coach

Back row (left to right): Wes Sumner, Rylan Birch, Jack Lackman, Ruthie Richardson
Middle row (left to right): Mya Taylor, Griffin Gracey, Ellayna Potter
Front row (left to right): Greta Bochenek, Jane Malouf

Our cross country ski athletes, Ellayna, Jack, and Rylan -- Team Butter Boys & a Belgian Waffle -- win first place as a team in today's Rides & Vibes 30-mile mountain bike race. Woohoo!!

End of season get together of both Alpine and cross country ski teams.

On April 9, the CMU Cross Country Ski Team had a live interview on KAFM. While the focus was on the national titles, we also got to talk about what we’re very proud of; the culture of this team and being part of the Grand Junction community.

If you want to hear a relaxed conversation with the crew, you can listen to the broadcast recording here: https://kafmradio.libsyn.com/cmu-nordic-ski-team-national-champions

Colorado Mesa University KAFM Community Radio

One of the cool things about being part of the CMU Cross Country Ski Team is access to the expertise and tools at the Human Performance Lab at CMU. It’s an incredible resource for our athletes, and we’re lucky to be able to use it as part of our training.

One of the tools we’re starting to integrate more is the rollerski treadmill. It’s an outstanding coaching environment: fully controlled, consistent, and incredibly efficient. We set grade and speed, and make the most out of every minute. The coach doesn’t just get a quick glimpse of the athlete skiing by or spend time looking for the right terrain as the athlete isn’t going anywhere, and the coach can carefully observe body position, movement, and timing over multiple cycles without any change in the environment.

There’s also no “free energy” (downhills) on the treadmill. The belt is always moving, so athletes have to be working 100% of the time, which makes it a great tool for building both technique and fitness.

And yes… for the first few sessions coach requires bike helmets.
It takes a bit to get comfortable, but once athletes adapt, it becomes very valuable training tool.

Really grateful for this opportunity and for the support of the Human Performance Lab in helping our athletes grow.

Monfort Family Human Performance Lab - Colorado Mesa University Colorado Mesa University

Closing Out Nationals: Team Sprints: Open / Mixed Team Sprint

The mixed team sprint brought the fun: athletes, mixed schools, even coaches racing together. A great way to close out Nationals and celebrate the week.

▶️ Watch the mixed team sprint video:

Mixed Team Sprint: Racing, Laughing, and Just Having Fun The mixed/open team sprint wrapped up the 2026 USCSA National Championships in the best possible way: fast, chaotic, and just plain fun.With teams made up of...

Closing Out Nationals: Team Sprints: Men’s Team Sprint

The CMU men placed a strong 4th overall, just off the podium. A clear step forward and a sign that sprinting is becoming an opportunity for us.

▶️ Watch the men’s team sprint video:

Men’s Team Sprint: Closing Strong at Nationals The final race of the 2026 USCSA National Championships brought the men’s classic team sprint to center stage at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. Fast, tactical, and unfo...

Closing Out Nationals: Team Sprints: Women’s Team Sprint

The CMU women finished 7th overall in a deep field. Sprinting isn’t yet our strength, but this race showed where we can grow, and we will.

▶️ Watch the women’s team sprint video:

Closing It Out in Lake Placid: Women’s Team Sprint at Nationals The final race of the 2026 USCSA National Championships brought the women’s team sprint to the spotlight on March 14 at Mt. Van Hoevenberg — a fast, tactical...