2022 CU Nordic Skiing Preview

Nordic Ski | 1/14/2022 7:00:00 AM

The lone team to compete in the NCAA Tournament during the 2020-21 season for Clarkson University, the Golden Knights' Nordic Ski team will be looking for continued success in the United States Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association (USCSA) when the 2022 season begins this weekend in the Adirondack Mountains.

Due to COVID limitations, the Golden Knights did not compete in the USCSA last season, but were able to participate across affiliations, qualifying for the NCAA National Championships with a solid effort at the EISA Vermont Carnival in late February. With that effort, the Green and Gold went to Jackson, NH in March with six Knights representing Clarkson University.

2022 Clarkson University Nordic Ski Roster
2022 Clarkson University Nordic Ski Schedule
2021 NCAA National Championships

Though several of the skiers who competed at the NCAA National Championships have graduated, third-year head coach Torin La Liberte and assistant Ben Buck hope that the experience will translate to another standout season in the USCSA this year.

Clarkson's teams have topped the USCSA National Championship leaderboards on eight occasions, with the Knights' women winning five times (2019, 2017, 2016, 2012, 2000) and the men claiming the first spot three times (2012, 2004, and 2003). In 2020, the Knights' men finished fourth among 10 teams and the women were fifth out of seven teams at the abbreviated USCSA Nationals in Lake Placid, NY.

Clarkson's women will certainly have a different look this year as several skiers will be competing for the first time at the collegiate level, as several are coming over from the cross country team. Only three of the eight females have skied collegiately, led by senior Melissa Brown, who finished 22nd overall at the USCSA National Championships in 2020, taking 19th in the freestyle event, 21st in the sprint, and 22nd in the classic race. Brown missed out on a chance to compete in the NCAA Nationals a year ago, but junior Ava Schieffert and sophomore Lillian Magnus made the trip, with Schieffert finishing 38th in both the and Magnus taking 39th at the two-day event.

Two of the three men who participated at the NCAA National Championships a year ago graduated, but the Golden Knights still have plenty of depth. Simon Zehr finished 13th out of 24 at the EISA Vermont Carnival to qualify for the NCAAs, but was unavailable to compete. He, along with fellow senior Cameron Bancroft, have shown consistency in their results over the years and should be expected to continue to lead the team. Junior Conner Roberts placed 36th in the 10K Classic and 37th in the 20K Freestyle at the NCAA National Championships while also taking 14th out of 24 skiers at the EISA Vermont Carnival a year ago. He also stood out at the 2020 USCSA National Championships by finishing in the top half of competitors as a freshman.

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Players Mentioned

Ben Buck: Graduate Student

Cameron Bancroft: Senior

Melissa Brown: Senior

Lillian Magnus: Sophomore

Conner Roberts: Junior

Ava Schieffert: Junior

Simon Zehr: Senior

Players Mentioned

Ben Buck
: Graduate Student

Cameron Bancroft
: Senior

Melissa Brown
: Senior

Lillian Magnus
: Sophomore

Conner Roberts
: Junior

Ava Schieffert
: Junior

Simon Zehr
: Senior