BY WILL FALLTRICK

Twelve Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Cross Country Comp Team athletes recently competed at the 2026 Junior National Championships in Cable, Wis. The week-long championship featured four events across freestyle and classic disciplines, with SVSEF athletes posting impressive results despite challenging and variable snow conditions.

Led by XC Comp Team Head Coach Chris Mallory, the SVSEF contingent demonstrated exceptional consistency throughout the week, with nine athletes recording top-30 finishes.

The standout performances came from Stella St. George and Tait Boschen, who each earned All-American honors with top-10 results in the 7.5/5K Freestyle Interval Start on Monday.

"Mother Nature threw a lot of different conditions at us in Wisconsin, but everyone stepped up and delivered at least a race or two throughout the week to be really proud of," said Mallory. "Nine SVSEF skiers posted top-30 results with Stella St George and Tait Boschen grabbing top-10 All Americans in the Skate Individual Start."

St. George, competing in the FU16 division, finished seventh in the freestyle interval start and followed up with an 11th-place finish in the 8K Classic Mass Start. Boschen placed seventh in the MU18 freestyle interval start and added a 27th-place finish in the classic mass start.

The championships featured diverse racing formats that tested athletes' versatility and endurance. Beyond individual events, Saturday's 4-Person Mixed Gender Freestyle Relay showcased the team's depth and collaborative spirit. SVSEF athletes competed on multiple relay teams, with Stella St. George's team finishing fifth in the F/MU16 division and Tait Boschen's team placing eighth in F/MU18.

"I was incredibly proud to see 12 SVSEF athletes qualify for and compete at the 2026 Junior National Championships this year," said Becky Flynn, SVSEF Cross Country Program Director. "Led by Head Coach Chris Mallory, this team has been putting in the time and commitment to improve every day, and this result is a true testament to that work.

“Throughout the week, they showed grit, determination, and an impressive ability to adapt—right through the final race and even the plane ride home,” she added. “It's been a challenging winter, but this group proved they are ready to take on anything."

Notable performances throughout the week included Zach Quesnel's 20th-place finish in the MU20 Classic Mass Start, Charlie St. George's 12th-place showing in the MU18 Classic Sprint, and Thijs Lloyd's 20th-place result in the MU16 Classic Mass Start. The SVSEF athletes demonstrated strong tactical racing across multiple disciplines, with several athletes posting their best results in different events.

In team competition, the Intermountain Division finished second overall in the Alaska Cup standings, highlighting the strength of the region's cross country skiing programs.

SVSEF Athlete Results

7.5/5K Freestyle Interval Start

MU20

25th – Zach Quesnel

MU18

7th – Tait Boschen

12th – Caleo Morrison

41st – Charlie St. George

68th – Duncan Fryburger

DNS – Nick Gardner

MU16

26th – Thijs Lloyd

53rd – Henry Flynn

FU18

62nd – Natalie Carlson

FU16

7th – Stella St. George

27th – Josephine Renner

42nd – Sidney Brown

Classic Sprint

MU20

39th – Zach Quesnel

MU18

12th – Charlie St. George

50th – Nick Gardner

56th – Tait Boschen

61st – Duncan Fryburger

81st – Caleo Morrison

MU16

31st – Henry Flynn

57th – Thijs Lloyd

FU18

45th – Natalie Carlson

FU16

19th – Stella St. George

45th – Josephine Renner

51st – Sidney Brown

8K Classic Mass Start

MU20

20th – Zach Quesnel

MU18

27th – Tait Boschen

29th – Duncan Fryburger

35th – Caleo Morrison

48th – Charlie St. George

DNF – Nick Gardner

MU16

20th – Thijs Lloyd

39th – Henry Flynn

FU18

58th – Natalie Carlson

FU16

11th – Stella St. George

18th – Josephine Renner

33rd – Sidney Brown

4-Person Mixed Gender Freestyle Relay

F/MU20 (IMD Teams) – 2 men/2 women

16th – Zach Quesnel w/ Charlotte Wilson, Zach Shockey, Zoe Sims

F/MU18

8th – Tait Boschen w/ Rhys Weidenhamer, Ayden Brutger, Odin Berryman

13th – Caleo Morrison and Charlie St. George w/ Brooke Greenburg, Hannah Mittelstaedt

19th – Nick Gardner w/ Walker Dunn, Gabrielle Harris, Havallah Heale

68th – Duncan Fryburger and Natalie Carlson w/ Atten Aronowitz, Hayden Von Maur Newcomb

F/MU16

5th – Stella St. George w/ Noah Eitel, Finn Worth, Hazel Gault

11th – Sidney Brown and Thijs Lloyd w/ Ben Larson, Katherine Van De Kamp

14th – Josephine Renner w/ Emmett Covington, Alta Miller, Rhylan Schaffer

30th – Henry Flynn (mixed region team) w/ Miriam Armstrong, Colin Belizzi, Willem Finnigan

Team Competition: Intermountain Division – 2nd place overall, Alaska Cup

Complete results for the 2026 Junior National Championships may be found at https://www.birkie.com/ski/events/junior-national-championships/

About the Junior National Championships

The Cross Country Junior National Championships is the premier national championship event for U16, U18, and U20 cross country skiers in the United States. Hosted by U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the event brings together the nation's top junior athletes to compete across multiple disciplines including freestyle and classic technique races, sprints, distance events, and team relays.