TRUCKEE, Calif. – In the most successful Junior Nationals performance Far West has ever had, a team of just 31 athletes stared down regions made up of hundreds—like team Alaska—and turned the championship on its head.

Far West has long been considered one of the underdogs because of the few athletes in the region, but this year, they raced like a team that expected to win. On the very first day, they claimed half of the day’s race victories—something never before done in Far West history at Junior Nationals.

It was more than a breakthrough. It was a statement performance, and one that made it clear Far West is no longer just chasing the rest of the country—they are helping lead the future of U.S. cross-country skiing.

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On the opening day of Junior Nationals, the skate individual, which featured the first six races of the week across three age-group categories and both genders, Far West wasted no time making a statement.

The region won half of the day’s races, with Quinn Holan, Niki Johnson, and Aili Scott all becoming national champions. Griffin Tuscano and Raegan Czeschin each earned third-place finishes, while Natalie Hamby claimed sixth to become an All-American.

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In a championship where the largest regions often make up 70 to 80 athletes in a single field, even a top-10 finish is a massive result, which made Far West’s day all the more extraordinary.

Far West rarely brings home a national title each season, along with All-American results. To open the week with three national champions was something special. It was historic for the region, and it sent a message to the rest of the country that Far West was not messing around.

On the second race day, the classic sprint, Far West kept the momentum rolling. Niki Johnson captured her second straight national title, reaching a rare level that no one else was able to achieve at the championships this year. It is a remarkable accomplishment – and likely not the last of its kind from this region. Far West also saw Quinn Holan ski to another top-10 finish, along with a strong showing of top-20 results across the board.

Day three brought some of the toughest conditions of the week, as athletes faced a full blizzard during the classic mass start. It was the longest race of the championships and one that demanded real grit. The U18 athletes were first on course and had the brutal task of breaking trail through fresh snow, making an already difficult race even harder. Nonetheless, Raegan Czeschin and Aili Scott battled their way into the top 10, with Raegan finishing fourth and Aili seventh, both in podium contention the entire race.

In the U20 races, Quinn Holan once again showed maturity and composure, skiing a smart race to finish seventh. In the U20 women’s field, Niki Johnson continued her dominant week by taking second place, while her sister, Britta Johnson – fresh off the plane from representing the U.S. Ski Team at World Junior Championships in Norway – raced to a strong fifth-place finish. In the final race of the day, Elio Adriani made his presence known as well, powering his way to fifth place and adding yet another top result for Far West.

The final day of racing brought one of the most exciting events of the week: the mixed relays. Every athlete had one last chance to race, and the Far West U20 team of Britta Johnson, Xavier Layh, Niki Johnson, and Quinn Holan made it clear they had one goal in mind.

Britta Johnson opened the relay with authority, creating separation on the first leg and handing Xavier Layh valuable time in first position.

Xavier, a first-year U18 racing up against older and more physically developed and experienced athletes, delivered one of his best performances of the season. He fought all the way through his leg and handed off in fifth place, very close to the leaders.

From there, Niki Johnson took over and did what she had done all week – hunt those in front. A now two-time national champion, she surged through the field and handed off in second to Quinn Holan.

Holan, now a national champion himself, skied the anchor leg with pure determination. He hunted down the leader second by second, closing the gap all the way to the line. If the course had been just a little longer he would have pulled it off.

Far West crossed the finish line taking silver-medal position by just one second. They held their heads high, closing out an outstanding Junior National Championships for the region. 

But what stood out most all week was not just the results. It was the way these athletes raced – with heart, toughness, and joy. They competed at the highest level they could, and they kept laughing and smiling along the way because championships like this are not only about podiums and titles. They are also about the moments between races, the friendships built over playing on frozen lakes, the van rides to the venue, the hacky sack juggle circles while they wait, and spending three days in the Mall of America because of missed flights, which end up creating the memories that make young athletes want to stay in the sport for life.

A huge thank you also goes to the staff who made this championship possible for Far West. Day after day, the athletes were given fast skis and every opportunity to succeed.

The wax crew was led by Gus Johnson, a veteran in the sport whose experience in every kind of condition helped Far West stay competitive in every race that brought new challenges. And none of it would have been possible without Quinn Lehmkuhl, who served as both Head Coach and Trip Leader. She made sure athletes and staff were where they needed to be, when they needed to be there, and also played a major role in ski testing throughout the week. Under their leadership, Far West delivered the most successful Junior National Championships performance the region has ever had.

Athletes who competed for Far West at the 2026 Junior National Championships:

U16 Women

• Ave Adriani
• Devi Burke
• Kalea Min
• Natalie Hamby

U16 Men:

• Caden Fillman
• Conner Suen
• Elio Adriani
• Griffin Tuscano
• Lachlan McConnon
• Nicholas Naylor
• Reed Higerd
• Sole Lanzarone

U18 Women:

• Aili Scott
• Alice Jowers
• Camille Hamel
• Hailey Gordon
• Raegan Czeschin
• Sierra Strecker

U18 Men:

• Alden Behan
• Jude Higerd
• Keeler Behan
• Luka Karnickis
• Pierce Bolen
• Ryden Burke
• Xavier Layh

U20 Women:

• Annika Johnston
• Britta Johnson
• Holland Calcutt
• Niki Johnson

U20 Men:

• Erik Von Ruden
• Quinn Holan

Far West Coaching Staff:

• Quinn Lehmkuhl – Head Coach & Trip Leader & Wax Test
• Charlotte Gross – U16 Women Coach
• Sean Burke – U16 Men Coach
• Julien Bordes – U18/20 Women Coach
• Ambrose Tuscano – U18/20 Men Coach
• Etienne Bordes – Floater Coach & Wax Test

Far West Service Staff:

• Gus Johnson – Head of Service
• Eric Strecker – Wax Staff
• Alex Min – Wax Staff
• Jason Layh – Wax Staff
• Randy Gibbs – Wax Staff
• Casey Jowers – Wax Test
• Zack Karas – Wax Test