U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Jake Sanderson, Konnor Ralph and Katie Verderber as Montanans of the Month for representing the Treasure State in the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Through his “Montanan of the Month” initiative, each month Daines highlights a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the recipient’s honor into the Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress.
Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Month” program by calling his office at 202-224-2651 or filling out the submission form on his website HERE.
The following is the tribute Daines submitted to the Congressional Record to honor Montana natives Jake Sanderson, Konnor Ralph, and Katie Verderber:
TRIBUTE TO TEAM USA’S JAKE SANDERSON, KONNOR RALPH AND KATIE VERDERBER
Mr. Daines, Mr. President, today I have the honor to recognize Jake Sanderson, Konnor Ralph, and Katie Verderber as Montanans of the Month.
These three Montanans representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics have shown exemplary dedication to their sports. They are some of the best that the Treasure State has to offer.
Jake Sanderson, a native of Whitefish, Montana, is a defensemen on Team USA’s men’s hockey team. Growing up, Sanderson competed for the Glacier Avalanche of the Glacier Hockey Association alongside his brothers. In 2026, he was named to Team USA’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Sanderson helped Team USA go 6-0 at the Milan Cortina games and win its first Olympic gold medal since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980.
Konnor Ralph is an American freestyle skier from Helena, Montana. Ralph represented the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in the slopestyle and big air events. Ralph placed 9th overall in slopestyle and 5th overall in men’s big air.
Katie Verderber is scheduled to compete at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games for Team USA’s wheelchair curling squad. Raised in Valier, Montana, Verderber received her undergraduate degree from the University of Montana.
It is my distinct honor to recognize Jake Sanderson, Konnor Ralph, and Katie Verderber as Montanans of the Month for their hard work, dedication to their country and teams, and their representation of Montana on the international playing field.
