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First year skier tabbed to compete for US Biathlon at the 2026 IBU Youth and Junior World Championship

Paul Smiths, NY – A familiar name is already starting to make her presence known at the international level in the world of competitive biathlon.  Paul Smith’s College biathlete Rowan Tanguay (Fort Kent, ME) has been picked to compete for US Biathlon at international events for the upcoming season.

“Being named to the US team is really an honor and I’m so happy that the hard work paid off,” said Tanguay.

Tanguay is sister of Bobcat alum Dolcie Tanguay, who also competed for both Paul Smith’s College and US Biathlon. Dolcie Tanguay represented the USA at the 2023 World University Games in Lake Placid, NY and was the 2023 United States Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association (USCSA) Individual Nordic National Champion.

A woman skiing

Rowan seems to be primed to follow in her sister’s footsteps.

Rowan Tanguay earned a spot on the US Youth and Junior teams with strong performances in the early Biathlon season. At the US Junior trials in late December, she shot clean and finished second overall in the 6km Sprint. She followed that up with seventh overall at the Mass Start event the following day before regaining her second place finish during the Classic Sprint to close out competition, earning second place overall at the US Junior Trials.

“I’ve been competing at these trial races for many years now and finally after some consistent training at Paul Smith’s College this year I was able to have some good results,” remarked Tanguay. “I can’t wait to represent not only Team USA but also Paul Smith’s College.”

“Rowan representing the U.S. at Junior Worlds is an exciting step for her and a clear sign of where biathlon is headed at Paul Smith’s College,” said head coach Matt Dougherty. “Our goal has been to build a program that removes barriers for biathletes and supports their development, and Rowan’s success shows what’s possible when that structure is in place.”

Tanguay will represent the United States in Bayerisch Eisenstein, Germany from February 23rd to March 8th at the IBU Youth & Junior World Championships.

It marks Tanguay’s first selection to the US National Team, while she is the fifth Bobcat to be named to the team in the last four years, highlighting Paul Smith’s College’s continued success in developing world-class biathletes.

“Paul Smith’s College has some awesome training opportunities with the range being so close by with tons of trails at the VIC…and I’d just like to add that I didn’t get to this point without all the support from the Fort Kent Outdoor Center back home, coaches who always wanted the best for me, and my wonderful family, especially my sister Dolcie who has always been my inspiration,” added Tanguay.


About Paul Smith’s College:

At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith’s provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.

About U.S. Biathlon:

As the Olympic sports organization for biathlon in the United States, U.S. Biathlon is recognized by the International Biathlon Union (IBU) and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) as the National Federation for the sport.U.S. Biathlon works with clubs and regional centers across the country to support grassroots development through elite international competition. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, U.S. Biathlon staffs and finances the U.S. Biathlon national and junior national teams and is dedicated to growing the sport across all levels. For more information, visit usbiathlon.org.

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