Marian University continued its unbeaten streak in the women’s team time trial at the USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships, while the Fort Lewis College women opened the weekend of racing with a bronze medal in Augusta, Georgia.
Marian University, based in Indianapolis, won the varsity women’s team time trial on the 21.75-mile course in 53 minutes, 10.86 seconds. Marian has won every women’s team time trial gold medal in collegiate nationals history.
Milligan College, based in Tennessee, was second in 53:55.18, while FLC was third in 54:21.02. Colorado Mesa University placed fourth in 55:15.42.
FLC finished fifth in the varsity men’s team time trial in 47:02.51, while Colorado Mesa won in 45:41.81. Marian was second in 45:48.75 to solidly assume the overall team omnium points lead after the opening day of racing. Marian is in pursuit of a 10th consecutive road racing national title.
The FLC women’s time trial was made up of Ava Hachmann, Tristen Musselman, Kira Payer and Sophie Russenberger. The men’s team consisted of Andre Bos, James Hilyer, Nik Johnson and Nick McKey.
Racing will resume at 7:15 a.m. Saturday with the women’s varsity road race. It is a four-lap race for a total of 60 miles. The men’s race is five laps for 75 miles.
The varsity women’s criterium race in downtown Augusta will be held at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, and the men’s race will begin at 11:50 a.m. The women will race for 70 minutes, and the men will race for 80.
Marian University will seek a 45th national title in program history across all disciplines, while FLC is in chase of a 25th. Last year at nationals in Grand Junction, the Skyhawks placed third.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
