LAKE PLACID, N.Y. -- The Castleton men's Nordic skiing team completed the first day of the Clarkson Invitational at Mt. Van Hoevenberg with a seventh-place finish in the 10K skate.

First to cross for the Spartans was Antonio Mannino in 24th, logging a time of 32:51.0. Freshman Braydon Jourden was Castleton's next-quickest, finishing in 37:21.4 to place 42nd in his first collegiate race. Fellow first-year Spartan Kristupas Merkelis clocked in at 47:30.1 to come in 50th.

Paul Smith's swept the podium to claim top team honors as Aidan Rupp finished in 26:34.8, over two minutes earlier than teammates Timo Ziegler and Gus Whitcomb who took second and third place.