2026 Clarkson University Alpine Skiing Preview

Tom Martin

Alpine Ski | 1/6/2026 3:00:00 PM

For the first time since 2015, both the men's and women's squads on the Clarkson University Alpine Ski team finished in the top five at the USCSA National Championships last winter, and the expectations remain high for 2026 with a significant group of returning skiers for the 2026 season.

Guided by second-year coach Lorenzo Mencaccini and second-year assistant Christopher Kerven, the Knights bring back the top three skiers for both the men and women and the Green and Gold will be supplemented by another strong recruiting class with high hopes for Lake Placid this March.

Clarkson's women enjoyed one of the best seasons in program's history in 2025, matching the top finish ever in the giant slalom (fourth) as well as the best finish in the slalom (fifth) while placing fourth overall at the USCSA National Championships. It was their top showing since 2015 where they repeated those exact placements, and was only bested by the third-overall podium spot from 2012 (where they also finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the giant slalom and slalom).

The Knights will be led by a strong group of returners from last year's squad, including four participants from the USCSA National Championships. Senior Ariana Welter ended up fifth overall out of 142 total skiers to earn USCSA All-American status, including a runner-up spot in the giant slalom and a 13th-place finish in the slalom. Classmate Hannah Goetz just missed out on a top-15 finish by coming in 17th overall thanks to two top-25 finishes in the giant slalom and slalom. Elyse Donaghue, another senior recovered from a difficult regular season to place 28th overall at the USCSA Nationals to help close out Clarkson's scoring in each event and pushing them to their historic finish. Additionally, senior Kyla Butler was in the top half of the competitors in each event at the USCSA Nationals in 2025.

Clarkson will miss the depth provided by Kylie Brino, who graduated early and will not compete in her senior season for the Knights, but the team has a considerable influx in talent from the Class of 2029. Sophomore Lily Rogers will look to get on the slopes regularly in her second collegiate season, while Madeleine Allen, LilyAnn Fisher, Hannah Nolett, Parker Seitzer, and Charlotte Talbot will be challenging for the final spot on Clarkson's top traveling squad. Fisher has already show promise, having won a giant slalom event at Whiteface Mountain.

Since 2012, the Golden Knights' men have finished in the top five overall at the USCSA National Championships on 11 occasions, including a high-water mark of second overall in 2014 and a third-place finish more recently in 2024. With another strong returning crop of skiers, the expectations continue to be high for the Golden Knights both regionally and on the national scene in the USCSA.

Clarkson will be led by a number of seniors in 2026, but the most successful over the past three years has been Reed Martin. The senior from Vermont placed 17th overall at the 2025 USCSA National Championships, matching his finish from the year before. Junior Jackson Knobloch was also a strong competitor a year ago, placing in the top 15 on three occasions in the regular season during FIS races as well as coming in 20th overall in the slalom at the USCSA Nationals. Sophomore Edouard Brochu was a sensation for the Knights in his first collegiate season, winning the slalom at the USCSA Eastern Regionals in mid-February and then placing 18th overall at the USCSA Nationals, just one spot below Martin's finish. Brochu had the top finish for the Knights in the giant slalom at the Nationals, taking 15th among 142 skiers.

Senior Noah Marino excelled in the giant slalom last season and was utilized for that race specifically in the team's most important races. He placed 31st at the USCSA Nationals and 13th at the USCSA Eastern Regionals in the giant slalom to help elevate Clarkson's placement at each event.

Clarkson is loaded with depth once again with plenty of capable skiers throughout the lineup. Adin Freeman finished in the top half of six FIS races during the regular season, as did Pedro Gonzalez in his second collegiate season. Collin Cotter also was in the top half of finishers in six races during 2025, his first year at the collegiate level. Braden Kruk was in the top 40 twice and Evan Phelps finished in the top 40 once, while Cole Rodman had similar results in 2024.

Joining the Knights for the 2026 season are a number of talented freshmen who will be vying for position among Clarkson's best. Gavin Ebert, Aleksa Lalic, Myles Nourse, and James Tucker should continue the tradition of outstanding skiers at Clarkson for years to come, as each has excelled in the early results of the preseason.

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Players Mentioned

Kylie Brino: Junior

Kyla Butler: Junior

Elyse Donaghue: Junior

Adin Freeman: Junior

Hannah Goetz: Junior

Pedro Gonzalez: Sophomore

Jackson Knobloch: Sophomore

Braden Kruk: Junior

Noah Marino: Junior

Reed Martin: Junior

Players Mentioned

Kylie Brino
: Junior

Kyla Butler
: Junior

Elyse Donaghue
: Junior

Adin Freeman
: Junior

Hannah Goetz
: Junior

Pedro Gonzalez
: Sophomore

Jackson Knobloch
: Sophomore

Braden Kruk
: Junior

Noah Marino
: Junior

Reed Martin
: Junior

Scoreboard

Clarkson University Athletics

2026 Clarkson University Alpine Skiing Preview

Players Mentioned

Kylie Brino

Kyla Butler

Elyse Donaghue

Adin Freeman

Hannah Goetz

Pedro Gonzalez

Jackson Knobloch

Braden Kruk

Noah Marino

Reed Martin

Players Mentioned

Kylie Brino

Kyla Butler

Elyse Donaghue

Adin Freeman

Hannah Goetz

Pedro Gonzalez

Jackson Knobloch

Braden Kruk

Noah Marino

Reed Martin