The St. Lawrence University Nordic ski team opened the 2026 season with a 10-kilometer classic at the SLU Carnival in conjunction with the US National Cross Country Championships on Sunday at Mt. Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid.

First-year Abby Murphy recorded the Saints best result of the day in her first collegiate race for the Scarlet and Brown. Murphy finished 54th with a time of 35:21.1 earning 15 points for SLU. Also scoring on the women's side was sophomore Emily Percival, who finished 64th in 35:54.4, while first-year Stella Powell placed 74th in 36:48.8.

Senior Nico Alexander led the men's squad finishing the 10-kilometer course in 60th with a time of 30:11.9. Finishing back-to-back in 65th and 66th was Oliver White and Evan Nichols, who finished 30:22.3 and 30:22.7, respectively.

"It was good skiing for our first race of the year, especially at home," said head coach Ethan Townsend. "Abby looked awesome for her first race at St. Lawrence and I think with some more hard work and determination to move up in the team rankings throughout the season and we're excited to race the sprints on Tuesday."

Murphy, Powell, Sarah Hottle and Zeb Whitlock all competed for the first time wearing Scarlet and Brown at their home carnival. The men finished in 10th place, while the women's team finished 11th.

The Saints will compete in the 1.3K freestyle sprints on Tuesday, January 6 at Mt. Van Hoevenberg.

St. Lawrence Results

Women's 10K Results
54 – Abby Murphy – 35:21.1
64 – Emily Percival – 35:54.4 
74 – Stella Powell – 36:48.8 
75 – Samantha Legate – 36:56.5
79 – Sarah Hottle – 37:31.2
82 – Berit Meyers – 37:53.5
83 – Cassidy Wright – 37:53.9
90 – Emily Campbell – 40:35.0

Men's 10K Results
60 – Nico Alexander – 30:11.9
65 – Oliver White – 30:22.3
66 – Evan Nichols – 30:22.7
71 – Foster Savitsky – 30:46.6
74 – Boden Sundell – 31:04.7
77 – Geo DeBrosse – 31:21.8
78 – Carl Morse – 31:30.4
82 – Zeb Whitlock – 31:38.2
84 – Justin Levesque – 32:26.5
88 – Riley Hutchinson – 33:11.3
92 – Carter Forest – 34:05.0