CARSON, Calif. – The 2023 USA Cycling Junior, Elite, and Para-Cycling Track National Championships wrapped up on Sunday after a sensational week of racing. Hundreds of talented athletes from around the country participated in the championships, making for fast and exhilarating racing.
Racing kicked off on Friday with the 15-18 Women’s 500-meter Time Trial, where Annika Flanigan (Bethlehem, Pa.; Edge Cycling) took home the Stars-and-Stripes jersey after completing her sprint in a time of 35.97. In the Men’s 15-18 1,000-meter Time Trial, multi-time national champion Enzo Edmonds (Brooklyn, N.Y.; Star Track) secured the top spot on the podium. Later in the morning, multiple para events took place, with Shawn Morelli (Leavenworth, Kan DNA Cycling) winning the Women’s C4 500-meter Time Trial title, Katie Walker (San Diego, Calif.) clinching the Women’s C5 500-meter Time Trial title, Joseph Berenyi (Oswego, Illi.) earning the Men’s Para C3 Kilo Time-Trial title, John Terrell (Converse, Texas; U.S. Para-Cycling) taking the Men’s C4 1,000-meter Time Trial title, Christoper Murphy (Colorado Springs, Colo.) securing the Men’s C5 1,000-meter Time Trial title, Hannah Chadwick (Hayward, Colo.) with pilot Skyler Espinoza winning the Women’s BVI 1,000-meter Time Trial title, and Michael Stephens (Huntington W.V.; Brihop Cycling) with pilot Joe Christiansen winning the Men’s BVI 1,000-meter Time Trial title.
With the Junior Scratch Races, Elite Omnium, and Sprint events scheduled for later in the day, the crowd eagerly anticipated the exciting racing ahead. Reagen Pattishall (Breinigsville, Pa.; Edge Cycling) claimed gold after an intense Scratch race in the Women‘s 17-18 category. This was one of the many titles that Pattishall won over the course of the week. In the Men’s 17-18 Scratch race final, Jonah Hover (Allentown, Pa.; Edge Cycling) outperformed his competitor Carsten Baker (Danville, Calif.; Velo Track Cycling) to secure the gold medal.
The Elite Women’s Sprint finals showcased both world and national-level talent. Mckenna McKee (Vancouver, Wash.; Team Novo-Nordisk) won gold on the women’s side after battling it out against Mandy Marquardt (Allentown, Pa.; Team Novo Nordisk). On the Men’s side, Jamie Alvord (Allentown, Pa.; Edge Cycling) successfully defended his sprint title over Evan Boone (Sierra Vista, Ariz.; Performance Cycle Coaching).
Reigning Olympic and World Champion in the Elite Women’s Omnium, Jennifer Valente (San Diego; Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24), dominated the sixteen-rider field, winning each of the four races that make up the omnium, adding another coveted Stars-and-Stripes jersey to her already impressive collection. Chloe Patrick (Carson, Calif.; Serious Cycling), the winner of the 2022 Junior Women 17-18 Omnium event, placed second. In the Elite Men’s Omnium, Anders Johnson (Huntsville, Utah; Voler / Zions Bank), in his debut in the event, went on to win the national title. Going into the final event, the omnium, Johnson sat fifth behind favorites Grant Koontz (Nederland, Colo.; Star Track Cycling) and Eddy Huntsman (Newport Beach, Calif.; Butcherbox Racing p/b LOOK).
Saturday saw the addition of the younger juniors into the competition, with the 11-12, 13-14, and 15-16 age groups competing in their omniums. For the older racers Points Races, Elimination Races, and the Keirins were on tap.
In a thrilling showdown against her competitors, Pattishall managed to stay at the front nearly every lap, winning the Women’s 17-18 Elimination race. In the Men’s 17-18 Elimination race, Hover delivered an exceptional performance to claim gold. In the Elite Women’s Elimination race, Valente set a high pace and never relinquished her lead. U23 rider Patrick ended up taking the U23 win and finished second overall. In the Elite Men’s Elimination race, fans eagerly awaited the last two riders on the track. In an incredibly impressive display of skill, Huntsman eliminated all of his competitors to win the race.
Points races, known for their endurance, were reserved for the evening sessions, giving the VELO Sports Center spectators an opportunity to witness them. Connell Alford (Chelsea, Mich.; Supra Performance Devo Team) claimed gold in the Men's 17-18 Points race with a total of 24 points. Jennifer Valente (Colorado Springs, Colo.; Team Twenty24) dominated the Elite Women's points race, earning 84 points and the title. U23 rider Chloe Patrick (Carson, Calif.; Serious Cycling) took second place and the U23 national title. In the Elite Men's Points race, it came down to a battle, but ultimately Colby Lange (Edwards, Colo.; Chaney Windows and Doors) emerged victorious, securing the national title with 125 points.
The Keirin events left viewers in awe as Marquardt maintained a controlled pace behind the motorbike and sprinted to victory, closely followed by Friday’s Sprint Champion McKee. When asked about her events this week, Marquardt said, “This has been such an incredible journey with the Women’s Sprint program. We’ve really progressed in such a short amount of time as a team. We just got off of Pan-Ams which is a really important event for us. We are looking ahead to the world championships. We qualified for a team sprint spot and a 500 spot and one sprint spot. I am excited to be back in the mix with the world’s best and right in the Olympics qualification.”
The Elite Men's Keirin saw Dalton Walters (Long Beach, Calif.) sprinting to victory, over Geneway Tang (Queens Village, N.Y.; Edge Cycling) who took second place, and the U23 national title.
In the overall omnium standings, Lara Mertens (San Diego, Calif.; Supra Performance) accumulated the most points to claim the title for the 15-16 Women's category. On the men's side, Enzo Edmonds (Brooklyn, N.Y.; Star Track) achieved the same feat. Aine Chen (Del Mar, Calif.; Virginia’s Blue Ridge Twenty24 Devo), the 2022 11-12 Women’s Omnium National Champion, aged up into the 13-14 Women’s group for 2023. In the 13-14 Women’s Omnium, Chen won the Points Race and Scratch Race setting her up to take home the national title. Silver medalist in the 13-14 Men’s Criterium at the 2023 Amateur Road National Championships, Matthew Crabbe (Buford, Ga.; Mission Devo Cycling p/b Tyler Perry Studios) added to his trophy case by winning the 13-14 Men’s Omnium. In the 11-12 Women’s Omnium, Evie Alvarado (Indianapolis; Midwest Devo) swept all three events in their omnium to earn the gold. For the 11-12 Men, Ari Ebens (New York City; Star Track) won two of the three events and was third in the final, making him the best all-around rider in the age group.
The last day of racing featured the team events. In the Junior Women's Team Sprint, Team Edge Cycling (Annika Flanigan, Meg Freeman, Divya Verma), claimed gold. In the Junior Men's Team Sprint, team I Tell Ya What (Enzo Edmonds, Louis Bonilla, Grayson Hauck) finished in a time of 49.97 seconds to earn the top spot.
In the four-person, Junior Women's Team Pursuit, Team Fruity Pedals (Danielle Scoville, Reagen Pattishall, Lucy Speranze, and Claire Kudlata) averaged a speed of 45.93 km/h as a team to secure the national title. On the Junior Men's side, Team Thunder Thigh Titan (Kashus Adamski, Jonah Hover, Connell Alford, Jayden Li) celebrated their victory together on the podium.
The morning session also included the Men's Para B sprint finals, where Michael Stephens (Huntsville, W.V.; Brihop Cycling) and pilot Joe Christiansen worked together to claim the 2023 title.
In the Elite events, Speedy Tank and Mac10 (Mckenna McKee, Kayla Hankins, Keely Ainslie) showcased their dominance as they triumphed over Edge Cycling to win the gold medal. On the Elite Men's side, LOOK Corima (Jamie Alvord, Evan Boone, Dalton Walters, Joshua Hartman) were in top form, finishing in a time of 45.18 and emerging victorious.
The day concluded with the thrilling Elite Men’s and Women’s Team Pursuits. Happy Folks on a Coupla Spokes, consisting of Elizabeth Stevenson, Reagen Pattishall, Jessica Chong, and Danielle Morshead, showcased their prowess and claimed the title in the Elite Women's category. In the Elite Men's Team Pursuit, David Domonoske, Anders Johnson, Brendan Rhim, and Viggo Moore demonstrated exceptional teamwork and rode with determination to secure the prestigious Team Pursuit title.
USA Cycling heads to the Rock Hill Velodrome for the 2023 USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships on August 8-13, 2023. Missed any of the action at this year's Junior, Elite, and Para-Cycling Track National Championships? Make sure to watch the replay on FloBikes.
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