LUDLOW, V.T. – The Vermont State University Castleton men's alpine skiing team earned a second-place finish in slalom at Okemo in the 2025 season opener.
 
Aksel Stroem-Hansen earned his first podium of the season, after sitting in fifth after his first run and laying down the fastest second run to finish in third place with a time of 1:31.25. Sondre Andersen made his collegiate debut, narrowly missing a podium finish with a time of 1:31.40 to earn fourth. Valero Echegoyen also made his collegiate debut, earning his first career top-ten finish. Nate Hazen snagged 11th, with Lucas Pons Morillo (14th), and Oliver Olsen(20th) rounding out the Spartans finishers.
 
The Spartans notched second with a combined time of 4:36.90, just 1.46 seconds behind Babson in first, with Clarkson rounding out the top three.
 
Castleton returns to Okemo tomorrow (January 13) for giant slalom.