Miss North Carolina, 22-year-old Kristen Dalton was officially crowned Miss USA last night in the prestigious annual pageant that captures millions of viewers every year.

The blonde cutie from North Carolina beat out first runner-up Carrie Prejean from California. Should any controversy erupt in the next 12 months (unimaginable, I know), Prejean will be responsible for replacing Dalton.

Kristen’s bio reveals a long list of pageant winners in the Dalton family. Not only was her mom named Miss North Carolina USA in 1982 but her younger sister, Julia Dalton, was named Miss North Carolina Teen USA 2008. Wouldn’t we all like to take a dip in that gene pool!

To further the Dalton family success, Kristen’s next youngest sister in line, Kenzie Dalton, was first runner-up in the 2005 Miss Teen USA pageant and is engaged to marry One Tree Hill star Chad Michael Murray. Kenzie Dalton also appears as an extra on the hit show – as one of the cheerleaders on the Tree Hill Raven’s squad.

When asked about her Miss USA win last night, Kristen revealed the following:

“It feels really good. I’ve worked so be here and this has been my lifelong dream and it’s finally here. And whoever knew you could win in a turquoise gown?”

Take a look at photos of Kristen Dalton below – and check out the video of her from the Miss USA 2009 pageant last night!
(The last photo on the bottom right is a photo of Kristen’s lookalike younger sister Kenzie – who is engaged to Chad Michael Murray):

*Click photos to enlarge

For other video footage of Kristen Dalton, go to the official Miss USA Pageant site.

Do you think Kristen Dalton deserved to win Miss USA 2009?

*Also check out the controversy Miss California's Carrie PreJean caused when she answered her interview question relating to gay marriages.