An established powerhouse in the United States Collegiate Ski Association (USCSA), the Clarkson University Nordic Ski team continued its domination on the east coast as both the Golden Knights Men’s and Women’s teams won the Eastern Regional, held this past weekend at the Ethan Allen Biathlon Center in Jericho, VT.

The Golden Knights Men’s team won both the 10k classic and the 10k freestyle races to successfully defend their 2009 regional title. The Clarkson Women also took the top spot in both events to regain possession of the regional trophy. Both Golden Knights teams made regional history in Saturday’s 10k classic race by placing the first four skiers across the finish line.

Winners of eight regional championships in the past 10 years, the Clarkson Nordic Ski team, which has gone undefeated this season, will make their 26th consecutive appearance in the USCSA Nationals when they compete at Black Mountain, ME in the first week of March.

Sophomore Alex Benway (Queensbury, NY) was the men’s top overall skier in regional combined events with a total time of 1:00:27. Graduate student Matt Delaney (Lake Placid, NY) was second (1:01:54) and senior Chris Lamothe (Colchester, VT) was third (1:02:07).

Delaney led the way for a strong showing by the men in the 10k classic by winning the race with a time of 30:24. Freshman Stevens (Glenville, NY) placed second (30:39), followed closely behind by Benway in third (30:40) and Lamothe in fourth (31:09).

Benway and Lamothe finished first (29:47) and second (30:58) in the 10k freestyle to pace the Green and Gold on Sunday. Delaney placed sixth (31:30).

Sophomore Alyssa Dausman (Syracuse, NY) was the regional best combined women skier with a combined time of 1:18:20 in the two races. Classmate Andrea Walsh (Underhill Center, VT) finished a close second (1:18:43) and freshman Rachel Bachman (Queensbury, NY) placed fourth (1:19:56).

Walsh led the way in the 10k classic event with a winning time of 42:55. Dausman, sophomore Emily Garrant (Marcellus, NY), and Bachman closed out Clarkson’s top four finishers with time of 46:56, 48:23 and 45:09, respectively.

Dausman was the Golden Knights leading skier in Sunday’s 10k freestyle race, placing second (36:54). Walsh finished third (37:18) and Bachman placed fifth (37:47). Garrant came in sixth (38:38).