PLATTSBURGH -- The Clarkson University Cross Country team opened the season on Saturday, competing against two, top regional powers at the Cardinal Classic at Plattsburgh State University.

The Golden Knight Men placed third at the Invitational with 69 points, while St. Lawrence won the 5k race with 28 points. Host Plattsburgh finished in second (40) and North Country Community College place fourth (119). In the Women’s 5k, Clarkson finished third (85) behind Plattsburgh (23) and St. Lawrence (35).

In a very competitive men’s race, Clarkson senior Alex Benway (Queensbury, NY) showed he will be a dominant force again this season with a second-place finish. Benway completed the race with a time of 15:48.9, averaging 5:06 per mile over the 3.1-mile course. St. Lawrence’s John Johnston won the race with a time of 15:37.7.

Junior Andrew Gelston, in his first year on the squad, was Clarkson’s second overall runner with a 14th-place time of 16:29.9. Freshman Austin Holbrook (Corning, NY) finished 16th (16:59.1), sophomore Nick Marshall (Huntington, VT) was 18th (17:02.4), and senior Matt Gammariello (Webster, NY) rounded out the Green and Gold’s top five runners in 19th (17:26.7).

A newcomer and a pair of veterans paced the Clarkson Women. Freshman Sarah Governale (Wading River, NY) led the Green and Gold with a 15th-place showing (21:42.5). Seniors Audrey Keene (Hilton, NY) and Maureen Hill (Latham, NY) finished 16th (21:49.5) and 17th (21:51.8), respectively. Junior Rachel Bachman (Queensbury, NY) and sophomore Erin Corrigan (Remsen, NY) placed 18th (22:17.7) and 19th (22:29.9), respectively.

Plattsburgh’s Stefanie Braun won the women’s event with a time of 18:43.6.