MSU Cycling Team Posts Top-25 National Finishes
Wichita Falls cyclists successfully competed against top collegiate riders in Colorado.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Cycling
The Midwestern State University cycling team secured top-25 finishes at the Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships held in Grand Junction, Colorado. Riders Emma Kasza-James and Gabby Wrightsman achieved these results while competing against collegiate cyclists at high altitude.
Why it matters
These results mark a notable performance for the team as they continue their competitive season. The men's squad specifically showed improvement compared to their performance in the previous 2025 national championship.
Official race results from the championships show Emma Kasza-James finished 19th in the cross-country event and Gabby Wrightsman placed 24th in the short-track race. It remains unknown how the team's total points compared to their historical average at this event.
The players
Emma Kasza-James
Midwestern State University cyclist who placed 19th in cross-country and previously won a Collegiate Gravel National Championship title.
Gabby Wrightsman
Midwestern State University cyclist who finished 24th in the short-track race at the national championships.
Midwestern State University
A university in Wichita Falls with a competitive collegiate cycling program.
The details
The team members faced the technical challenges of competing at high altitude during the national championships in Colorado. These races require high cardiovascular endurance and tactical bike handling skills to navigate terrain under significant physical exertion. The riders continue to build on momentum from earlier this year, including a national title win by Kasza-James in the Collegiate Gravel National Championship.
Timeline
• October 7-11, 2026: Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships held in Colorado.
• November 14-15, 2026: Season finale scheduled in Abilene.
Health Landscape
The Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships serve as a primary benchmark for developmental cycling in the United States. This performance follows the established competitive arc for collegiate athletes moving through regional and national racing circuits.
These results highlight the physical demands of high-altitude athletic performance. Athletes interested in similar competitive mountain biking should monitor their own recovery and cardiovascular strain when training at varying elevations.
The takeaway
Maintaining endurance at high altitude requires consistent, gradual preparation to help the body adapt to lower oxygen levels. Consider consulting a coach or a sports medicine specialist to optimize your training program for high-intensity, long-duration cycling events.
What happens next
The team is scheduled to compete next at the Texas A&M mountain bike race at Bluff Creek Ranch, followed by the season finale in Abilene on November 14-15, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local competitive events, visit Cycling.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Newschannel6now.
