With the Clarkson University Nordic Ski team serving as host, the United States Collegiate Ski Association (USCSA) 2011 season opener was successfully completed at Lake Placid's Mt. Van Hoevenberg venue on Saturday. The Golden Knights managed to handily win both the women's and men's 10k duathlon event. Sunday's race was cancelled due to bitter cold.

The Golden Knight Men finished first out of five teams with nine points, outdistancing second-place Cornell (21). Junior Alex Benway (Queensbury, NY) led the way for the Green and Gold finishing in second with a time of 32:17. Matt Piper of Paul Smiths won the event with a time of 32:10.

Freshman Nick Marshall (Huntington, VT) was impressive in his collegiate debut, placing third with a time of 33:14. Sophomore Andrew Klem (Dalton, MA) finished third (33:24).

Men's Results

The Clarkson Women dominated their event, placing the top five racers across the finish line. Junior Alyssa Dausman (Syracuse, NY) led all skiers with a first-place time of 41:26. Classmate Andrea Walsh (Underhill Center, VT) followed closely behind in second (41:33).

Women's Results

Junior Emily Garrant (Marcellus, NY) finished third (43:04) with sophomore Rachel Bachman (Queensbury, NY) and senior Alicia Perras (Portsmouth, RI) placing fourth (44:40) and fifth (46:50), respectively.

The Knights head to the Cornell Invitational to be held at Dartmouth's Ski Center near Hanover, NH on January 29-30.