Although the Clarkson University Alpine Ski team will be led by a new head coach for the first time in two decades, little change is expected from the Golden Knights. Austin “Skip” Fox, who led the University of Massachusetts to a USCSA National title just two years ago, will bring a winning attitude to a program that is already used to dominating the Adirondack Division and makes appearances at the nationals routine. With a young squad that has already proven itself at a high level, the team appears poised to make another run at the national championships.
Fifteen males and five females constitute the 2010 Alpine Ski team. Two of the men have already gained national notice by gaining USCSA All-American status as freshmen. Jean-Philippe Phaneuf (Montreal, QUE) and Cedrik Proteau-Dubois (Ste-Adele, QUE) spent much of their first year jockeying back and forth as the top skier in the region, with Phaneauf winning out as the Mideast Regional Champion. Both, along with earning all-conference accolades, were awarded USCSA All-America Second-Team honors at the national championships as well.
The two Canadian skiers may have paced the Knights at the national championships, but two other returning skiers also gained all-conference accolades. Senior Drew Bonner (Killington, VT) has been a steady skier for three seasons and looks to finish his career on a high note, while sophomore Bill O’Connor (Mahopac, NY) took little time to lay claim as one of the team’s top performers. Also ranking among the top returners from last season are juniors Clayton Reynolds (Rome, NY) and Ben Cohen (Old Forge, NY) as well as seniors Nick Skowyra (St. Paul, MN) and Peter Steckel (Skaneateles, NY). Sophomores John Bennett (Queensbury, NY), Brendan Murphy (Silver Lake, NH), and Connor O’Toole (Owasco, NY) and freshmen Erik Obey (Brooklyn, NY), Brandon Reilly-Evans (Longmeadow, MA), David Simon (Montvale, NJ), and David Zimmer (Geneseo, NY) will add quality depth to the men’s squad.
What the women lack in numbers is more than made up for in talent, as several battled for the top spot in numerous races in 2009. In fact, junior Meghan Cleason (Canandaigua, NY) and sophomores Jill Clevenger (LaGrangeville, NY) and Sophie LeBlanc (Cumberland, ME) each gained USCSA All-Conference honors, while senior Emma Masur (Wayne, NJ) was routinely among the top 10 in the conference finishes as well. Freshman Katherine Jondro (Waitsfield, VT) will also be a key competitor as a first-year collegian.