Bobcat Biathlon Wins National Team Championship

The Paul Smith's College biathlon team celebrates after winning the 2024 US Biathlon Collegiate National Championship.
The Paul Smith's College biathlon team celebrates after winning the 2024 US Biathlon Collegiate National Championship.
March 26, 2024

Fort Kent, ME ~ The Paul Smith's College biathlon team have made history by winning the inaugural US Biathlon National Collegiate Championships.  Competing against the best biathletes in the country in Fort Kent, ME over the weekend, the Bobcats skied and shot their way to an overall team trophy, the first-ever to come from collegiate biathlon.

The team's success was a result of their hard work and commitment to excellence, as they overcame tough competition to claim the top spot on the podium.  Aidan Ripp (Cloquet, MN), Diego Schillaci (New Paltz, NY), and Brady Miller (Presque Isle, ME) combined for a podium in the Men's Team Relay while Dolcie Tanguay (Fort Kent, ME) took home the top position in the Women's Junior Pursuit.  Kaisa Bosek (Alexandria, MN) and Tanguay also podiumed in individual events as Paul Smith's College took the overall team championship.

Head Coach Matthew Dougherty was ecstatic with how the season finished.  "What an exciting way to end a historic season for the team winning the first ever US Biathlon Collegiate National Championship.  This is an incredible group of athletes and I am so proud of all the hard work the have put in for so many years. " 
 
In addition to their team success, individual athletes also shone in the following days of the US Biathlon National Championships.  Impressive performances in the Pursuit, 7.5km Sprint races, and relay events further solidified the Bobcats' dominance in collegiate biathlon.
 
"The Nordic program at Paul Smith's College is one of the best in the country," said Athletic Director Zack Luzzi.  "Giving these athletes a place to both train and learn was paramount to attracting high-level student athletes.  We appreciate the support from the Paul Smith's College community and couldn't be more proud of the Nordic program.  Congratulations to the biathlon team for winning the 2024 US Biathlon Collegiate National Championship!"
 
As the season comes to a close, the Bobcats can look back on their achievements with pride.  Winning the US Biathlon National Collegiate Championships is a remarkable feat, and one that will be remembered for years to come as the program continues to build upon the successes that it has enjoyed in such a short period of time.
 

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At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.