Findley Dezzani’s speedy skating and strong leadership has landed her a spot on Montana State University’s Nordic ski team.

The Columbia Falls senior has been a team captain for the Glacier Nordic Club comp team for the last two years.

Her parents put her on cross-country skis when she was 14 months old, and she started competing around second grade. She also runs cross-country and track for the Wildcats.

“I like seeing my improvement over time, in technique and results, and in getting stronger,” Dezzani said. “I like the connections I’ve made through the sport. It’s really cool having friends and knowing coaches from all across the states.”

Dezzani’s forte is skate mass-start distance races, which she both enjoys and excels in.

Having to trust in the process for that main event has made her into the athlete she is today.

“Hard races are always a big challenge,” she said.

“And coming back and being able to stay motivated when I have results that I think I shouldn’t be having, is hard.

“I always trusted that I could do better than what I was doing, but it took a long time for the results to come through.”

The hard work finally paid off this spring in Cable, Wisconsin, when Dezzani placed ninth at Junior Nationals in the skate distance race. It was the highest placing finish of her career and earned her All-American status.

The trails were in good condition, a refreshing race from the slush of not this just this year, but the last three years. Junior Nationals was also fun because she’s been racing beside her competitors for many years.

“It was cool to be with them one last time,” she said.

But the real award of Junior Nationals came shortly after, with an offer from MSU in Bozeman.

“I’m excited to be with a new team in a new place,” she said. “I’m excited for the new experiences, and new training. I’m excited to be close to home, and in the mountains. And there’s even one race every year, where I’ll be able to see the Glacier Nordic team.”

Dezzani excels in math and plans to study business.

She credited her coach of the last two years, Olivia Skillings, as well as Glacier Nordic director Jennie Bender, for helping her reach her goals.

With only two seniors and being the oldest on the team, Dezzani has done a lot of training on her own.

Training solo hasn’t been easy, but it helped her become a better leader for her younger teammates, she said.

On the plus side, her younger teammates have kept things lighthearted, she said.

“We get to be ourselves,” she said.

Dezzani said that team training trips to Canmore, Alberta over Thanksgiving breaks have been a favorite part of her Glacier Nordic experience.

“It’s a great bonding time. We learn a lot about ourselves and each other.”

The future is bright for the team, Dezzani reflected.

“Even though it’s a young team, everyone’s going to keep improving. I think the team will be very strong in the next few years.”