The 2022 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships continued on Friday with colder temperatures and dryer conditions. With crowds growing each day, Friday’s racing saw a packed venue, where cowbells could be heard all around.
Championship racing kicked off with the Master Men 40-44. Neff Cycle Service athlete, Corey Stelljes (Madison, Wisc.) ended up taking the top step after beating second place by 12 seconds. Andrew Wulfkuhle (Lancaster, Pa.; Rock Lobster Cycles) took silver and Greg Wittwer (Richmond, Va.; Sweet Spot Cycling) took bronze to round out the podium.
Racing continued with the Master Men 45-49 kicking off their race. Race favorite Jake Wells (Avon, Colo.; Alpha Bicycle Co. - Groover Silverthorne) took to the front of the bike race and never looked back. Wells would go on to win the 45-49 category. The perfect opener before his singlespeed race later this week.
The first relay of two was the Collegiate Mixed Team Relay, a combined varsity and club race. The first team through was Colorado Mesa University who chose to send their men off first and let their two women Madigan Munro (Boulder, Colo.; Colorado Mesa University) and Katie Clouse (Park City, Utah; Colorado Mesa University) bring home the finish. Fort Lewis was hot on their tale after using the same strategy. Colorado Mesa University ended up taking gold, Fort Lewis College finished with silver, and Milligan University claimed the bronze position.
Winning on the club side was Colorado State University. The University of Vermont set the silver standard, and University of Arizona finished in third after a solid performance.
After two days of racing, Colorado Mesa University was awarded the overall Varsity Omnium title after earning 240 points. Fort Lewis College finished in second with 216 points. Marian University scored 190 points, which put them in third.
1. Colorado Mesa University - 240 Points
2. Fort Lewis College - 216 Points
3. Marian University - 190 Points
4. Milligan University - 186 Points
5. Brevard College - 170 Points
Clouse, a senior at Colorado Mesa, always loves to be part of collegiate cycling. When discussing the omnium win, she said, “It feels really good. I think we come out here every year to win, and we’ve had a good streak. It gets harder every year, but I’m really proud of how we’ve all shown up for this weekend. Our coaches have done so much for us this weekend, and it really does take a team to win.” Clouse is in her fourth season with CMU but, rest assured, this will not be her last Cyclocross Nationals with the team as she plans to stay for an extra semester.
Taking first in the Club Omnium was the University of Vermont. They beat second place Colorado State University by 1 point. University of Arizona rounded out the podium in third.
1. University of Vermont - 216 Points
2. Colorado State University - 215 Points
3. University of Arizona - 178 Points
4. Rutgers University - New Brunswick - 98 Points
5. University of Rhode Island - 92 Points
The University of Vermont came to Hartford with a team of four this year hoping they would have a good chance in the Omnium. Patrick Frank (Burlington, Vt.) said, “Last year was pretty disappointing for the turnout for the team. Coming off of the pandemic, there were a lot less people in the program in general, so we just had two people, myself and Sam Noel, and no women. Fielding a team of four this year, including a woman, was much better. We’re proud of growing the team.”
The afternoon was welcomed by the conclusion of Master Men’s racing. Finishing in first for the 55-59 Men was Tom Ryse (Spokane, Wash.; Pathways Endurance Coaching School of Cross) who finished over 30-seconds ahead of second place finisher Jim Cochran (Iowa City, Iowa; Rule #5 Nick’s Cycling and Fitness). Paul Bourcier (Eugene, Ore.; Symantec Corp-SPR) rounded out the podium to take third.
In the Men’s 50-54 race, 66 riders took to the start line to round out the racing for the day. After a hard fought battle with Christopher Peck (Los Gatos, Calif.; Live Play Real Estate), Adam Myerson (Dorchester, Mass.; Cycle Smart Shiftgear-Bianci) pulled ahead on the final corner to take home the gold medal. Peck took second, and David Hildebrand (Ellington, Conn.; Soall Viet Kitchen) snagged third.
Racing continues tomorrow morning at Riverside Park. A full schedule of racing can be found at cxnats.usacycling.org or by clicking here.
Photo By: Tory Hernandez
