Midwestern State Cycling Secures Top-25 National Finishes
The team excelled against collegiate competitors at the mountain bike national championships in Colorado.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Cycling
Midwestern State University cycling team members recorded top-25 finishes at the Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships. The event was held in Grand Junction, Colorado, featuring athletes competing at high altitude.
Why it matters
Strong performances at national competitions highlight the team’s competitive growth as they prepare for the remainder of their collegiate racing calendar.
Emma Kasza-James secured 19th in cross-country, while Gabby Wrightsman placed 24th in short-track. The men's squad recorded an overall performance improvement compared to the team's 2025 outing.
The players
Midwestern State University
A public university based in Wichita Falls, Texas, that maintains an active collegiate cycling program.
Emma Kasza-James
A collegiate cyclist for Midwestern State University who recently won a title at the Collegiate Gravel National Championship.
Gabby Wrightsman
A cyclist representing the Midwestern State University team in collegiate mountain bike racing.
The details
Competing at high altitude in Grand Junction, the team maintained strong positioning against a diverse field of collegiate riders. This success follows a banner year for Emma Kasza-James, who earned a national title earlier in 2026 at the Collegiate Gravel National Championship.
Timeline
October 7-11, 2026: Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships took place.
November 14-15, 2026: The team is set to compete in the season finale in Abilene.
Season Trajectory
The team’s ability to improve upon its 2025 national championship performance indicates a positive upward trend for the squad. These consistent results strengthen their standing as they head into the upcoming Texas A&M race and the final event of the season in Abilene.
The team's success in high-altitude racing provides momentum for the upcoming Texas A&M race in Warda. Maintaining these rankings is critical for the squad as they seek to solidify their status before the season concludes in Abilene.
The takeaway
Maintaining performance consistency across various terrain types and altitudes is a key focus for developing collegiate cyclists. Athletes looking to improve their own race times can benefit from studying the team's training approach as they prepare for the season's closing events.
What happens next
The team is scheduled to compete next at the Texas A&M mountain bike race at Bluff Creek Ranch. Additionally, the season finale will take place in Abilene on November 14-15, 2026.
Further reading
For more news on local athletes and events, visit our Cycling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Newschannel6now.
