CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine – The Vermont State University Castleton men's alpine skiing team rose to the occasion on the final day of regional competition, capturing the slalom title to secure the final berth to the USCSA National Championships. 
 
Entering the day needing a victory to keep its national championship hopes alive, Castleton delivered when it mattered most. Combined with yesterday's 12th-place finish, the Spartans placed sixth overall at regionals to claim the final qualifying position. 
 
Sondre Andersen led the way with a fourth-place finish in slalom, posting a two-run combined time of 1:25.41. Paired with his eighth-place result in giant slalom the previous day, Andersen finished sixth overall at the regional championships. 
 
Lucas Pons earned a seventh-place result in 1:26.31. Sitting 13th after the first run, Pons recorded the eighth-fastest second run to move into the top 10. Nate Hazen followed in eighth place with a time of 1:26.73, finishing 10th overall for the weekend when combined with his 13th-place giant slalom result. 
 
Alex Jorge Lopez added a 10-place finish in 1:26.93, while Sven Cornelisse placed 25th in 1:30.33. 
 
In a tightly contested team race, Castleton claimed first place with a combined time of 4:18.45 to earn the title of USCSA Eastern Conference Slalom Team Champions and snap Babson College's previously unbeaten run this season. The University of Connecticut finished second at 4:19.75, followed by Babson in third at 4:19.81. 
 
Castleton now turns its focus to the NCAA Regional Championships at Middlebury Snow Bowl on February 20.