Jericho Welcomes Back U.S. Biathlon Community for 2026 Summer Nationals
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by Sara Donatello
Ranging from U13 through senior veteran, athletes from across the United States and Canada traveled to the Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho, VT for the 2026 U.S. Biathlon Summer National Championships. Sunshine and blue skies brought the heat for the sprint competitions on Saturday, the warm temperatures not letting up for Sunday’s pursuit and mass start races. Thankfully, the on-site medical team brought back the fan-favorite Athlete Cooling Zone, complete with a towering mist station and kiddie pools (the photo gallery has the proof).
Saturday's sprint races were highlighted by a sweep of the senior women's podium by the U.S. Biathlon Women's National Team. Margie Freed (Apple Valley, MN/Craftsbury Green Racing Project) claimed the victory, followed by Luci Anderson (Golden Valley, MN/Snø Racing) in second and Chloe Levins (Rutland, VT/Mansfield Nordic Pro) in third. In the senior men's race, National Development Team athlete Wes Campbell (Park City, UT/Craftsbury Green Racing Project) skied to a commanding victory, with Thor Sheppard (West Yellowstone, MT/Team Altius) finishing second and Tim Cunningham (Springfield, NH/Team Soldier Hollow) rounding out the podium in third.
Sunday saw a shake-up in the senior fields as Women's National Team athletes Anderson, Freed, and Levins elected to forgo their start positions to stay aligned with their training plans. On the men's side, National Team athlete Bjorn Westervelt (Stowe, VT/Craftsbury Green Racing Project) joined the mass start field, adding another exciting storyline to the day's racing.
Aurora Cramer (Boise, ID/Team Soldier Hollow) delivered a dominant performance to win the women's mass start and earn the Fastest Skier Award, presented by Mansfield Nordic Pro. Hannah Chipman (Norwich, VT/Team Soldier Hollow) finished second, while Alex Taylor (Lincoln, MA/HSC Massachusetts Biathlon) claimed third. In the men's mass start, Westervelt lived up to expectations with a convincing victory. Logan Moore (Durango, CO/Craftsbury Green Racing Project) raced to his first U.S. Summer National Championships podium in second while also claiming the men's Fastest Skier Award, and Eric Anderson (Frontenac, MN/Team Soldier Hollow) rounded out the podium in third.
Congratulations to all of the athletes on a fantastic weekend of competition. A special thank you to the Ethan Allen Biathlon Club and the Vermont Army National Guard for once again hosting a stellar Summer Nationals, as well as to U.S. Biathlon's Official Luggage & Backpack Provider, deuter, for joining the community in Jericho and supporting the event.
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