Parker (Vermont) Earns Team USA Berth, Olson (Florida State) Claims Title at 2026 Collegiate Mountain Running National Championships
University of Vermont's Darius Parker Qualifies for Team USA with Fourth-Place USATF Finish as Collegiate Stars Shine at SIX03 Endurance’s Sunapee Scramble
Sunapee, NH – June 7, 2026 — The nation's top collegiate mountain runners took center stage Sunday at the 2026 Collegiate Mountain Running National Championships, contested as part of the historic Sunapee Scramble at Mount Sunapee Resort. Held concurrently with the USATF Mountain Running National Championships, the event showcased several of the next generation of American mountain running talent while providing a direct pathway to international competition.
Leading the way was Darius Parker of the University of Vermont, who not only captured the men's collegiate national title but also finished an outstanding fourth overall in the USATF Mountain Running National Championship, securing one of four coveted positions on Team USA's 2026 Classic Mountain Running Team. Parker will represent the United States at the WMRA World Cup Finale in Quebec this October, marking a milestone achievement for the collegiate mountain runner and highlighting the growing strength of collegiate athletes on the national stage.
SIX03 Endurance’s Sunapee Scramble championship course proved a worthy test for the country's best athletes. Covering approximately 9.3 miles with nearly 3,300 feet of vertical gain, competitors completed two ascents of Mount Sunapee. The second climb featured the rugged and technical Newbury Trail before a fast, demanding technical descent back to the Base Lodge. With a total event purse of $33,000, including $3,000 dedicated to collegiate athletes, championship honors and prize money were on the line for a talented field of runners.
"The talent on display at Sunapee demonstrates the continued growth of collegiate mountain running in the United States," said Steve Taylor, Founder of the Collegiate Running Association. "The Sunapee Scramble organizing committee, volunteers, sponsors, and outstanding live-stream production created a first-class championship experience. Watching collegiate athletes compete alongside America's best mountain runners—and seeing Darius Parker earn a place on Team USA—demonstrates that Collegiate Running Association continues to create meaningful pathways to the highest levels of our sport."
Parker and Olson Capture Collegiate National Championships
Parker attacked the challenging course from the outset, covering the demanding layout in 1:14:22.92 to win the men's collegiate championship and earn his place on Team USA. His performance against an elite national field demonstrated exceptional climbing strength, technical descending ability, and remarkable poise under championship pressure.
Dylan Flewelling (Arkansas State University) finished second in 1:17:08.72, while Shepard Livingston (Quinnipiac University) claimed third in 1:22:53.81, pulling away from Gordy Nilsen (Pepperdine University) late in the race.
Top 10 Men's Collegiate Results
Darius Parker (University of Vermont) – 1:14:22.92
Dylan Flewelling (Arkansas State University) – 1:17:08.72
Shepard Livingston (Quinnipiac University) – 1:22:53.81
Gordy Nilsen (Pepperdine University) – 1:24:01.56
Banyan Love (Paul Smith's College) – 1:27:56.82
Rowan Nilsen (Pepperdine University) – 1:30:51.82
Nick Terranova (Keene State College) – 1:35:11.29
Brent Dunning (Rivier University) – 1:43:44.04
Kenton Fields (Wingate University) – 1:44:00.74
Ben Tetu (Keene State College) – 1:44:39.23
On the women's side, graduate student Oakley Olson of Florida State University delivered an equally impressive championship performance, conquering Mount Sunapee's steep climbs and technical descents to win the collegiate national title in 1:34:33.31. The former USATF U20 National Team member is also the 2024 Collegiate Mountain Running National Champion while an undergraduate student at Utah Valley University.
Gabby DeAngelis of the University of New Hampshire finished second in 1:42:40.65, while Evelyn Wool of the University of Maine completed the podium in 1:45:54.84.
Top 10 Women's Collegiate Results
Oakley Olson (Florida State University) – 1:34:33.31
Gabby DeAngelis (University of New Hampshire) – 1:42:40.65
Evelyn Wool (University of Maine) – 1:45:54.84
Maya Brochu (University of New England) – 1:54:47.22
Natalie Johnson (University of Maine) – 1:55:11.36
Sarah West (Mount Holyoke College) – 1:58:52.59
Lindsey Trotto (Southern New Hampshire University) – 2:03:56.00
Maya Wedge (Keene State College) – 2:08:17.03
Maggie St. John (Keene State College) – 2:08:17.97
Ava Valle (Saint Michael's College) – 2:10:01.77
A Unique Collegiate and Elite Championship Experience
The integration of the Collegiate Mountain Running National Championships with the Sunapee Scramble and the USATF Mountain Running National Championships provided student-athletes with a unique opportunity to compete alongside America's elite mountain runners.
The event also served as a showcase for the growing collegiate mountain running movement, demonstrating a pathway from collegiate competition to national team selection and international representation. Parker's qualification for Team USA underscores the caliber of talent emerging from collegiate programs across the country and the opportunities available through championship events like the Sunapee Scramble.
Sunapee Scramble Delivers Championship Atmosphere
The Sunapee Scramble once again established itself as one of the premier mountain running events in the United States. The challenging course, enthusiastic spectators, dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, and professional live-stream coverage combined to create a championship environment worthy of both national and collegiate competition.
Athletes, families, and fans followed the action throughout the day as competitors tackled the demanding Mount Sunapee terrain, highlighting the excitement and accessibility of mountain running for audiences both on-site and online.
As the 2026 Collegiate Mountain Running National Championships conclude, the performances of Parker and Olson, coupled with Parker's selection to Team USA, represent another significant step forward for collegiate mountain running in America and reinforce the sport's expanding opportunities for student-athletes nationwide.
About the Collegiate Mountain Running National Championships
The Collegiate Mountain Running National Championships are conducted by the Collegiate Running Association to provide student-athletes with a national championship opportunity in the growing discipline of mountain running. The championship brings together collegiate runners from across the United States to compete on challenging mountain terrain while fostering pathways to national and international competition. Held in partnership with premier mountain running events, the championships promote athlete development, sportsmanship, and the continued growth of mountain running at the collegiate level.
Additional details:
2026 Collegiate Championships Home
Photos
Contact: Collegiate Running Association
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