Saturday, March 14
Salt Lake City, UT
Montana State University
at
NCAA 20K Freestyle (M)
Bobcat All-America Simon Chappaz
Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services
Simon Chappaz Earns All-America Honors as Cats Finish Fourth
3/14/2026 5:10:00 PM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing
Bobcat grad student becomes MSU's sixth All-America of 2026 NCAA Championships
(March 14, 2026) – Montana State wrapped up the 2026 NCAA Ski Championships with another All-America finish on Saturday, when graduate student Simon Chappaz earned eighth place in the 20K Freestyle.
Chappaz (46:25.3) led a strong Bobcat Nordic effort at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah, where five of the six MSU skiers finished among the top 25. He was joined by senior Katey Houser (13th in the women's race) and his twin sister Felicie Chappaz (23rd), a grad student, along with men's teammates Gavin Galyardt (20th), a junior, and sophomore Grey Barbier (23rd).
The result tied Denver on the day and left the Bobcats in fourth place in the final team standings, matching MSU's highest finish in history. "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 paced the MSU women with a time of 53:22.4, with Felicie Chappaz (55:33.9) and sophomore Maeve MacLeod (27th, 55:48.6) close behind. After Simon Chappaz's noteworthy performance in the men's race, Galyardt posted a 48:51.5 and Barbier 49:19.2. "There are an infinite number of what-ifs," St. Pierre said. "But it isn't fair to ask those questions."
MSU's veteran Nordic coach lauded his skiers for their efforts, particularly those donning the Blue and Gold for the final 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."
WOMEN'S 20K FREESTYLE
13. Katey Houser, 53:22.4
23. Felicie Chappaz, 55:33.9
27. Maeve MacLeod, 55:48.6
MEN'S 20K FREESTYLE
8. Simon Chappaz, 46:25.3
20. Gavin Galyardt, 48:51.5
23. Grey Barbier, 49:19.2
FINAL TEAM STANDINGS (Top 10)
1. Utah, 549.5
2. Colorado, 539.0
3. Denver, 386.5
4. Montana State, 376.5
5. Vermont, 334.0
6. Dartmouth, 314.0
7. Middlebury, 254.0
8. Alaska Anchorage, 235.0
9. New Hampshire, 210.5
10. Alaska Fairbanks, 205.5
#GoCatsGo
Chappaz (46:25.3) led a strong Bobcat Nordic effort at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah, where five of the six MSU skiers finished among the top 25. He was joined by senior Katey Houser (13th in the women's race) and his twin sister Felicie Chappaz (23rd), a grad student, along with men's teammates Gavin Galyardt (20th), a junior, and sophomore Grey Barbier (23rd).
The result tied Denver on the day and left the Bobcats in fourth place in the final team standings, matching MSU's highest finish in history. "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 paced the MSU women with a time of 53:22.4, with Felicie Chappaz (55:33.9) and sophomore Maeve MacLeod (27th, 55:48.6) close behind. After Simon Chappaz's noteworthy performance in the men's race, Galyardt posted a 48:51.5 and Barbier 49:19.2. "There are an infinite number of what-ifs," St. Pierre said. "But it isn't fair to ask those questions."
MSU's veteran Nordic coach lauded his skiers for their efforts, particularly those donning the Blue and Gold for the final 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."
WOMEN'S 20K FREESTYLE
13. Katey Houser, 53:22.4
23. Felicie Chappaz, 55:33.9
27. Maeve MacLeod, 55:48.6
MEN'S 20K FREESTYLE
8. Simon Chappaz, 46:25.3
20. Gavin Galyardt, 48:51.5
23. Grey Barbier, 49:19.2
FINAL TEAM STANDINGS (Top 10)
1. Utah, 549.5
2. Colorado, 539.0
3. Denver, 386.5
4. Montana State, 376.5
5. Vermont, 334.0
6. Dartmouth, 314.0
7. Middlebury, 254.0
8. Alaska Anchorage, 235.0
9. New Hampshire, 210.5
10. Alaska Fairbanks, 205.5
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
Nordic
/ Men's Skiing
Nordic
/ Women's Skiing
Nordic
/ Men's Skiing
Nordic
/ Men's Skiing
Nordic
/ Women's Skiing
Nordic
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