MIDWAY, Utah— The University of Utah captured the team title at the 2026 NCAA Skiing Championships Saturday, edging Colorado in one of the closest finishes in championship history as the outcome was decided on the final lap of the final race.
Utah finished with 549.5 points to Colorado’s 539 as the two Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association rivals battled throughout the four-day championship. Denver placed third with 386.5 points while Montana State finished fourth with 376.5, giving the RMISA the top four teams in the final standings.
The championship came down to the men’s 20K freestyle finale after Utah outscored Colorado in the women’s 20K earlier in the day to take a narrow lead into the final race. With the lead pack staying together for most of the men’s race, the team standings swung dramatically at each split before Utah secured the title.
Utah’s Mons Melbye broke away on the final lap to win the men’s 20K freestyle in 46:14.6, helping secure the team championship. Dartmouth’s John Hagenbuch finished second while Vermont’s Tabor Greenberg placed third.
The women’s race earlier in the day was controlled by Alaska Fairbanks’ Rosie Fordham, who skied away from the field early to win in 51:54.6 and complete a sweep of the women’s Nordic titles at the championships. Vermont’s Haley Brewster finished second and Utah’s Erica Laven placed third.
The four-day battle between Utah and Colorado was among the tightest in NCAA history. The combined daily margins totaled just 32.5 points, the closest the championships have been contested in the coed era dating back to 1983.
1. Utah 549.5; 2. Colorado 539.5; 3. Denver 386.5; 4. Montana State 376.5; 5. Vermont 334; 6. Dartmouth 314; 7. Middlebury 254; 8. Alaska Anchorage 235; 9. New Hampshire 210.5; 10. Alaska Fairbanks 205.5.
1. Rosie Fordham, Alaska Fairbanks, 51:54.6; 2. Haley Brewster, Vermont, 52:22.4; 3. Erica Laven, Utah, 52:22.7; 4. Ava Thurston, Dartmouth, 52:22.9; 5. Witta Walcher, Utah, 52:24.0; 6. Natalie Nicholas, New Hampshire, 52:29.7; 7. Emma Crum, Bowdoin, 52:56.1; 8. Hattie Barker, New Hampshire, 52:56.6; 9. Tilde Baangman, Colorado, 52:57.3; 10. Lena Poduska, Vermont, 52:59.0.
1. Mons Melbye, Utah, 46:14.6; 2. John Hagenbuch, Dartmouth, 46:15.0; 3. Tabor Greenberg, Vermont, 46:21.7; 4. Jakob Moch, Colorado, 46:21.8; 5. Ben Dohlby, Alaska Fairbanks, 46:22.0; 6. Corbin Carpenter, Alaska Anchorage, 46:22.7; 7. Philipp Moosmayer, Alaska Fairbanks, 46:23.9; 8. Simon Chappaz, Montana State, 46:25.3; 9. Zachary Jayne, Utah, 46:28.7; 10. Erling Bjoernstad, Alaska Anchorage, 46:43.7.
| Date | Race |
|---|---|
| Mar. 11 | Women's Giant Slalom |
| Mar. 11 | Men's Giant Slalom |
| Mar. 12 | Women's 7.5K Classic |
| Mar. 12 | Men's 7.5K Classic |
| Mar. 13 | Women's Slalom |
| Mar. 13 | Men's Slalom |
| Mar. 14 | Women's 20K Freestyle |
| Mar. 14 | Men's 20K Freestyle |