Breinigsville, Pa. – The penultimate day of the 2021 USA Cycling Junior, Elite, and Para Track National Championships saw several more titles awarded and multiple riders adding to their medal collection at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Breinigsville, Pa., on Monday, July 19, 2021.
Reagen Pattishall (Breinigsville, Pa.; Edge Cycling) started her morning off with the win in the Women's 15-16 Points race. She later went on to also win the Women's 15-16 Scratch race. Edge Cycling was at the front all morning. In the Men's 15-16 Points race, Jonah Hover (Allentown, Pa.; Edge Cycling) took gold. He also won in the Men's 15-16 Scratch race.
Today was also the first day of the Para events. Katie Walker (San Diego, Calif.) had a fantastic ride, she placed first in the Para C5 Women's 500m Time Trial.
The action didn't stop there, Jason Kimball (Ronan, Mont.; Brihop) had a standout ride and became the national champion in the Para C3 Kilo Time Trial.
Jason Macom (Colorado Springs, Colo.; Paratech Cycling) won over John Terrell (Converse, Texas) in the Para C4 Men's Kilo Time Trial.
The morning continued with the Para B Women's Kilo Time Trial. Stephanie Zundel (Monument, Colo.) with Pilot Heather Gray (Monument, Colo.) rode a very strong race and successfully finished their morning off with the win. They finished in a time of 1:14.781.
Michael Stephens (Colorado Springs, Colo.; Brihop) piloted by Joseph Christiansen (Colorado Springs, Colo.; Brihop) won gold in the Para B Men's Kilo Time Trial. Stephens and Christiansen finished in a time of 1:05.233.
Fourth place rider Griffin Pinkow (Laguna Beach, Calif.) had a solid ride in the Kilo with his new pilot Charles Hursh (Laguna Beach, Calif.). This is Hursh's very first time piloting. These two riders have big plans for the rest of the week.
"The race didn't go the way we wanted initially, but we got a lot out of it. This is the first time Charles has piloted a BVI athlete so this was really just a great learning experience. We now know what we need to work on for tomorrow." Pinkow and Hursh will be competing in several events tomorrow.
Racing continued in the evening with the Para Mixed Team Sprint. The winning team was made up of three riders (Jason Kimball (Ronan, Mont.; Brihop), Katie Walker (San Diego, Calif.) and Jason Macom (Colorado Springs, Colo.; Paratec Cycling)). The team finished in a time of 1:15.832.
In the Women's 17-18 Points race, Kelly Dahlin (Bellevue, Wash.; Jerry Baker Juniors) added another gold medal to her collection. Dahlin even hopped in the Elite Women's Points race where she finished eighth overall.
"[Being a national champion] is amazing. I just can't believe it. I am so happy and thankful for my teammates who supported me through all of this. Hearing them kept me going through the last couple of laps." said Dahlin after stepping off of the podium.
In the Men's 17-18 Points race Antonio Rossi (San Diego, Calif.; Icademy) added another gold medal to his collection.
Colleen Gulick (Spring City, Pa.; Podium Sports Cycling) continued her reign of dominance when she won the Elite Women's Points race.
Next was the Men's and Women's 11-12 Scratch race where Star Track Racing went two for two. On the Men's side, Kai Afan (Fresh Meadows, N.Y.; Star Track Racing) finished in first. In the Women's race, Akira Edmonds (Brooklyn, N.Y.; Star Track Racing) took gold. The trend continued with Enzo Edmonds (Brooklyn, N.Y.; Star Track Racing) winning the Men's 13-14 Scratch race.
"I won a national championship in Florida a few weeks ago, so it feels great to be back at my home track winning again," said Edmonds.
In the Women's 13-14 Scratch race Emma Jimenez Palos (Novi, Mich.; American Cycling League-Detroit) took the top step.
Eli House (Indianapolis, In.; Texas Roadhouse Cycling) had one of the best performances of the evening after winning the Elite Men's Points race. House has been around the cycling scene for a very long time. He is most notably known for his road and cyclocross performances. House, who currently races for Texas Roadhouse Cycling, is also attending Marian University where he races on the varsity cycling team. When House was asked about his performance he said, "I can't really believe it. I did a lot more track training this year compared to the past couple of years and it really paid off. I owe a lot to Matt Gittings and the team at the Indy Cycloplex for getting me ready."
The Para events closed out the evening. In the Para C1-5 Men's Scratch race Jason Kimball (Ronan, Mont.; Brihop) took home the win.
In the Para C1-5 Men's Scratch race Jason Macom (Colorado Springs, Colo.; Paratec Cycling) took gold, with John Terrell (Converse, Texas) taking silver.
"It's a super cool feeling, a lot of work went into getting this fitness. To win a national championship is a highlight of my cycling career. This will be my fourth jersey and I'm hoping to win a few more." said Macom after his tremendous performance.
Only one more day remains for this year's national championships.
You can find a full list of results by clicking here.
