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2026 Clarkson University Nordic Skiing Preview

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Tom Bartol

Nordic Ski | 1/6/2026 1:30:00 PM

A number of youthful faces populate the Clarkson University Nordic Ski team in 2026, as the Golden Knights seek another USCSA National Championship with the beginning of the campaign coming this weekend.

Guided by first-year head coach Dana Hatton and assistant Zac Shaw, the Green and Gold saw some significant roster turnover, yet they are still well-positioned for a strong showing at the USCSA Nationals. Unlike last year when the nationals were in the Pacific Time Zone, the Golden Knights will be on familiar ground for the USCSA's final races as they will be held at Mt. Van Hoevenberg on the outskirts of Lake Placid.

Clarkson's most recent USCSA National title came in 2024 for the men, its fourth title, while the women last won a national championship in 2019, which was its fifth crown. A year ago, Clarkson's men were seventh out of 18 teams, with a high-water mark of sixth in the 7.5K Freestyle. The Golden Knights' women were 14th out of 17 teams, finishing in that spot in all three races.

On a team of 15 skiers, only five of Clarkson's men have more than a year of collegiate experience. Oliver Dolcino, Adam Jansen, and Patrick Murray have established themselves as solid leaders for the program. Jansen competed at last year's USCSA National Championships, placing 44th overall among 81 competitors, including a 34th-place showing in the 7.5K Freestyle. One of two juniors on the team along with Andrew Kanclerz, Torsten Brickley also headed across the country to compete at the USCSA Nationals, finishing one spot below Jansen in the overall standings, but also one spot ahead of him in the 7.5K Freestyle.

While the upperclassmen have had good results in the early training days of the 2025-26 prep season, the Knights will likely be leaning upon a talented sophomore class that had three compete at the USCSA Nationals a year ago. Matthew Clarner was the top finisher for the Knights in 2025, placing 19th overall in the field and seventh in the 7.5K Freestyle. Finn Payne was the top finisher for the Knights last year in the Classic Sprint, placing 11th overall and fifth in the B Finals of the event at Mount Bachelor in Oregon, helping him maneuver into 23rd overall. Silas Bartol also made the trip out west a year ago and placed 47th overall, including a 42nd-place showing in the 15K Classic.

Clarkson's men have a number of talented newcomers to the program, including sophomore Anthony Cauley and freshmen Nathaniel Burke, Alex Evans, Dillon Franks, Brady Krenzer, Braydon Patch, and William Poppleton. Burke particularly excels in distance events, while both Patch and Poppleton are stronger in sprints and shorter distances.

Like last year, there isn't a lot of room for error or injuries for the Clarkson women with only four names listed on the roster. Skylar Francis was the top competitor for the Golden Knights a year ago, as she finished 36th out of 59 skiers at the USCSA Nationals. Francis tended to performer better in distance events, including a fifth place showing in the 15K at the ECSC Divisionals in mid-February. Junior Clare Janas and first-year collegians Janneke Baks and Ava Mendler will compete for the final two scoring spots each weekend.     
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Players Mentioned

Torsten Brickley

Torsten Brickley

Sophomore
Oliver Dolcino

Oliver Dolcino

Junior
Skylar Francis

Skylar Francis

Sophomore
Clare Janas

Clare Janas

Sophomore
Adam Jansen

Adam Jansen

Junior
Andrew Kanclerz

Andrew Kanclerz

Sophomore
Silas Bartol

Silas Bartol

Freshman
Patrick Murray

Patrick Murray

Junior
Matthew Clarner

Matthew Clarner

Freshman
Finn Payne

Finn Payne

Freshman

Players Mentioned

Torsten Brickley

Torsten Brickley

Sophomore
Oliver Dolcino

Oliver Dolcino

Junior
Skylar Francis

Skylar Francis

Sophomore
Clare Janas

Clare Janas

Sophomore
Adam Jansen

Adam Jansen

Junior
Andrew Kanclerz

Andrew Kanclerz

Sophomore
Silas Bartol

Silas Bartol

Freshman
Patrick Murray

Patrick Murray

Junior
Matthew Clarner

Matthew Clarner

Freshman
Finn Payne

Finn Payne

Freshman