On one of the world\u2019s most iconic stages, University of Utah alumni, students, and staff demonstrated world-class athletic skill and proved why they deserved to compete at the pinnacle of their sports. In addition to 27 top-10 finishes, Utes won two gold, five silver, and two bronze medals.<\/p>\n
Of the 31 athletes<\/a>\u00a0with ties to the university, 21 competed in skiing disciplines and eight were speedskaters; consequently, the odds favored the \u201cU\u201d earning hardware on the slopes or the ice. Aerial skiers Kaila Kuhn and Chris Lillis secured gold<\/a> in mixed team aerials during the final weekend of the Winter Games. Jaelin Kauf also excelled, earning two silver medals<\/a> in women\u2019s moguls and women\u2019s dual moguls. Freestyle skiing legend Alex Hall followed his 2022 Beijing gold medal with a silver in Italy<\/a>. On the ice, Ethan Cepuran and Casey Dawson took silver in the men\u2019s team pursuit, surpassing their bronze-medal performance from 2022. Additionally, Corinne Stoddard overcame several falls earlier in the games to claim bronze in the women\u2019s 1,500-meter.<\/p>\n The university\u2019s 27 top-10 finishes included a fifth-place rank for Kaila Kuhn and sixth for Winter Vinecki in women\u2019s aerials<\/a>\u2014a discipline in which the entire U.S. women\u2019s team consisted of \u201cU\u201d students and alumni. Novie McCabe also secured fifth place in the cross-country skiing 4 \u00d7 7.5-kilometer relay. McCabe was one of four athletes in Italy who also competed for University of Utah Athletics; others included Keely Cashman<\/a> (alpine skiing) and international Olympians Maddie Hoffman<\/a> (Australia, alpine skiing) and Joe Davies<\/a> (Great Britain, cross-country skiing). The university\u2019s global reach was also highlighted during the Opening Ceremony when Saudi Arabian alpine skier and alumnus Fayik Abdi was introduced. Abdi, the first Winter Olympian to compete for a Gulf nation, made his debut in the 2022 games.<\/p>\n The \u201cU\u201d was equally well-represented behind the scenes at the Milano-Cortina Games. Alumni David Euler and Ryan Gramswell<\/a> coached Team USA in freestyle skiing\u2019s slopestyle and big air events, where athletes secured two silver medals. Furthermore, U Health physical therapist Jason Miller<\/a> has worked with U.S. Speedskating since 2016, and U Health athletic trainer Trevor Kelsey<\/a> has supported the team for the last four years. Viewers watching freeskiing events on NBC or Peacock also benefited from the insight of alumnus and former X-Games champion Tom Wallisch<\/a>, who provided color commentary for the halfpipe, big air, and slopestyle events.<\/p>\n Ultimately, the University of Utah led all U.S. colleges and universities in the number of alumni, students, and staff competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Given the university\u2019s proximity to world-class training facilities, this dominance is expected to continue through 2030 and into 2034, when the Winter Olympics return to Utah. Go Utes!<\/p>\n Banner Photo: LIVIGNO, ITALY \u2013 FEBRUARY 21: Gold medalists Connor Curran of Team United States, Christopher Lillis of Team United States and Kaila Kuhn of Team United States celebrate their victory following the Mixed Team Aerials Final on day fifteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Air Park on February 21, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Photo by Michael Reaves\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n