Nearly six years ago, in March of 2020, Paul Smith’s College entered into a partnership with US Biathlon where the College of the Adirondacks became the Eastern Education and Training Center for the Olympic sport federation. One year later, the new cross-country skiing network at the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center became known as the E. Philip Saunders Nordic and Biathlon Stadium.
The site is named after the Rochester native who has spent many years in the Adirondacks, served on the college board of trustees and spent six years as its chairman. Now both the training center and the network where Bobcat skiers train all winter is churning out top collegiate results from a Nordic program that has built a deep lineup of student-athletes.
Of note, the school has the only on-campus biathlon range in the nation. A scholarship was announced last August to support these elite student-athletes. Most recently, Rowan Tanguay of Fort Kent, Maine, was named to the US Biathlon Team for the 2026 IBU Youth and Junior World Championships. This came after the first-year student achieved strong performances at the US Biathlon Junior Trials.
“Being named to the U.S. team is really an honor, and I’m so happy that the hard work paid off,” said Rowan. She is the fifth Bobcat to be named to the youth and junior world championship team in the last four years, and the sister of Dolcie Tanguay, who is a Paul Smith’s College alumna and competed for the United States in the 2023 World University Games.
“Rowan’s achievements are a clear indication of where biathlon is headed at Paul Smith’s College,” said Matt Dougherty, the school’s Head Nordic Coach. “Our goal has been to build a program that removes barriers for biathletes and supports their development. Rowan’s success shows what’s possible when that structure is in place.”
She will compete in the events slated to begin Feb. 23 in Bayerische Eisenstein, Germany, near the Czechia border. Since receiving support from trustee/chairman Saunders to develop their training venue, the Bobcats have won individual and team national championships dating back to 2021. Most recently, the team swept the Eastern Collegiate Ski Conference races in Sleepy Hollow, Vt. Bobcat striders took top honors in each event earlier in January.
With improvement occurring each season and titles continuing to accrue, Paul Smith’s College, from administrators to the athletic department, are beginning to eye the final plateau: placing athletes on the U.S. Olympic Team.
“That would be our ultimate validation,” remarked Dougherty. “The Olympic Games draw the eyes of the world. It is the number one accomplishment for winter sport athletes. To represent our nation, from the depths of the Adirondacks to a global stage, would make us prouder than words could convey.”
Thanks to its excellence in Nordic sports, Norway is the all-time medal leader at the Olympic Winter Games with 405 medals, 148 of them gold. Second place in the team standings – the United States at 330. Furthermore, the top three athletes in Winter Games history all hail from Norway.
By continuing to develop world-class competitors, Paul Smith’s College hopes to assist Team USA in cutting into that dominance.
About Paul Smith’s College:
At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. As the only four-year college 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 are able to draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive and adventurous individuals collectively provide
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 paulsmiths.edu
