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National Championships

Dual Slalom Takes Center Stage at Snowshoe Mountain for Mountain Bike Nationals

By: Jackie Tyson  July 19, 2018
22 Non-Championship Races Decided in Cross-Country

Snowshoe, W.Va. – The first Stars-and-Stripes jerseys of the 2018 USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships were awarded Wednesday in five Dual Slalom events. Another 22 gold medals were earned in non-championship cross-country races. It was the first day competitors soaked in the sun as courses began to dry from recent rains at Snowshoe Mountain Resort.

“We are proud to have the opportunity to partner with USA Cycling and play host for an event of this caliber,” said Shawn Cassell, public relations manager for Snowshoe Resort. “It brings mountain bikers from all over the country here to West Virginia, and gives us an opportunity to show them just how special a place Snowshoe really is. It also gives us a chance to support our case for a World Cup bid, which is very important to us and to our biking community here in Pocahontas County.”

DUAL SLALOM

A bronze medalist for Women 11+ in the dual slalom a year ago, 17-year-old Jordan Bell (Irwin, Penn.) returned to the dual slalom course and captured the national title. Stephanie Sowles (Colchester, Vt.) earned silver and Kristy Fiola (Burgettstown, Penn.) won the bronze.

“I was here last year and I placed third, and when I saw the one girl get the (championship) jersey, I was like, ‘that's what I'm doing next year, I want to win it’. And I accomplished my goal this year,” exclaimed Bell, who also competes in downhill racing. “This morning it was definitely a little slick. My confidence dropped a lot, and then as the sun came out throughout the day. It did dry up a little bit, then my confidence got back up and I was like, yeah, I'm going to win this.”

Evan Medcalf (Albuquerque, N.M.), 13 years old, scored the DS national title for Junior Men 11-14, edging John Compton (Charlottesville, Virg.) in the final round. Seth Pritchard (Hooker, Okla.) grabbed the bronze.

The Men’s Senior 19-29 Category 1 division was won by 22-year-old Anders Nystrom (Boise, Idaho). Evan Picinotti (Charleroi, Penn.) took second and Jake Wade (Manassas, Virg.) was third.

In the Men’s Master 30-39 Category 1 division, 33-year-old Jesse Borror (Morgantown, W.Va.) took the win over Josh Smith (Springboro, Ohio). Defending champion Taylor Angleberger (Smithsburg, Md.) secured the final spot on the podium in third.

Mike Hummel (West Newton, Penn.), 43 years old, scored the win in the Men’s Senior 40+ Category 1 division, crossing the line ahead of the 2107 winner, Kevin Liebig (Havre De Grace, Md.). Alex McElyea (Scottsdale, Ariz.) finished third.

NON-CHAMPIONSHIP CROSS-COUNTRY

Using a track nearest the Snowshoe Village with signature roots and rocks, the women took the course first to decide seven contests. The XC Women’s 15-18 Category 2/3 winner was 16-year-old Opal Koning (Breckenridge, Colo.); 30-34 Category 2/3 winner was Mayra Tomazoni (Lighthouse Point, Fla.); 35-39 Category 2/3 winner was Alexandra CampbellForte (Frederick, Md.); 40-44 Category 2/3 winner was Sarah Moore (Nashville, Tenn.); 45-49 Category 2/3 winner was Nicole Weiss (Seattle, Wash.); 65-69 Category 2/3 winner was Nancy Waddell (New Castle, Del.).

A 44-rider field took the cross-country course for the Men’s 15-18 Category 2/3 race, with 16-year-old Jaxon Story (Benton, Ky.) taking the victory. The Men’s 19-24 Category 2/3 race was won by Connor McCormick (Auburn, Ala.); 25-29 Category 2/3 race was won by Robert Maier (Irwin, Penn.); 30-34 Category 2/3 race was won by Nicholas Mackie (West Palm Beach, Fla.); 35-39 Category 2/3 was won by Rogerio Filho (Coconut Creek, Fla.); 40-44 Category 2/3 was won by Humberto Toledo (Coconut Creek, Fla.); 45-49 Category 2/3 was won by Darrin Indart (Reno, Nev.); 50-54 Category 2/3 was won by Scott Johnson (Cave Creek, Ariz.).

The XC Female winner in the 6-8 age category was eight-year-old Madeline Smith (Roanoke, Virg.); Female 9-10 winner was 10-year-old Rowan Engeling (Waco, Texas); Female 11-12 winner was 12-year-old Raven Powers (Englewood, Colo.); Female 13-14 winner was 14-year-old Mia Aseltine (Littleton, Colo.).

The XC Male winner in the 6-8 age category was six-year-old Donald Smith IV (Roanoke, Virg.); Male 9-10 winner was 10-year-old Myles Perry (Draper, Utah); Male 11-12 winner was 12-year-old Harrison Hale (Spicewood, Texas); Male 13-14 winner was 14-year-old Cayden Parker (Hot Springs, Ark.)

THURSDAY ACTION

Masters athletes will compete in 12 cross-country categories on Thursday. A complete schedule for Enduro races will also take place in 14 categories, including Pro Men & Pro Women. Beginning at the top of Cheat Mountain, the second highest peak in West Virginia, all seven stages for Enduro races will be completed on the same day.

RESULTS, SCHEDULE AND SOCIAL MEDIA