LAKE PLACID, N.Y. –For the first time in program history, the William Smith Alpine skiing team produced a national champion as first-year Aspen McAuley raced to a first-place finish in the slalom at the 2026 USCSA National Championships.
 
McAuley continued her dominant rookie season this week at the 2026 USCSA National Championships, which was highlighted by winning the program's first ever national championship. In Thursday's slalom event, she combined for a two-run race time of 1:38.72 to secure first place by less than half a second. Her first run time of 47.80 was the third fastest time in race one. McAuley then followed that up with a time of 50.92 in her second run, which was also the third fastest of the second run. Her combined race time was fast enough to secure first place out of 145 racers, officially crowning her a national champion.
 
The Truckee, California, native has impressed all season long for the Herons. McAuley has won first place in 11 events this season and was named the Mideast Conference Fastest Female Skier along with earning a spot on the Mideast Conference First Team. In her first collegiate national championships, McAuley has raced to All-American status in three events. She finished second out of 130 racers in the giant slalom, fifth out of 63 racers in the skier cross and most recently finished first out of 145 racers in the slalom on White Face Mountain.
 
McAuley and the Herons will close out action at the 2026 USCSA National Championships on Saturday as they compete in the dual slalom at 9 a.m. More information will follow at the conclusion of the national championships.