Tied after two of three events, it all comes down to the team relay for a national championship.
After the men’s and women’s varsity races at the 2017 USA Cycling Cyclo-Cross Collegiate National Championships, Fort Lewis College was tied with Brevard College with 158 points in the team omnium standings. Marian University is also lurking close behind with 156 points. FLC, seeking its 23rd team national championship in cycling, dominated the men’s race Wednesday on a challenging course in Hartford, Connecticut. The Skyhawks claimed second through fourth place, with Jonathan Anderson of Topsfield, Massachusetts, leading the way in second place in 46 minutes, 27 seconds. Henry Nadell of Carbondale was third in 46:31, and Durango’s own Cody Cupp placed fourth in 46:50.
The gold medal was won by Brannan Fix of Colorado Mesa. The Fort Collins native finished well ahead of Anderson in 45:32.
Fort Collins’ Skyler Trujillo also placed ninth for FLC in 50:06, while Harrison Buckley of Colorado Springs placed 16th for the Skyhawks in 52:33.
Adding to the strong men’s performance was Littleton’s Sam Vickery, who was 24th for FLC in 55:11. Bryan Froehlicher of Arlington Heights, Illinois, placed 39th for FLC in the 57-rider field.
Those results gave FLC a commanding 94 points, while Colorado Mesa was second in the men’s competition with 83 points.
Brevard College and Fort Lewis reversed roles in the afternoon women’s race. After scoring 64 points in the men’s race, Brevard scored 94 points in the women’s race while FLC scored 64.
Only 22 women started, and it was Hannah Finchamp of Lindenwood University who claimed gold in 41:03. Emma Swartz of Marian took second in 42:32, while Brevard riders took third and fourth, with Allison Arensman finishing in 43:16 and Hannah Arensman crossing the line in 43:59.
Kelsay Lundberg of Salida was the top women’s finisher for FLC in eighth place in 48:28. Teammate Rebecca Bramley of Littleton was right behind her in ninth place in 48:51. Salida’s Anna Schehrer was 11th for FLC in 49:48, while Durango’s Ellen Campbell placed 12th for the Skyhawks.
The course in Connecticut is hosting all of the national championships this week, from professionals such as Todd and Troy Wells on Sunday to master’s age groups Tuesday. The course has been described as very challenging and has drawn comparisons to the difficulty found on European courses.
This is much to the delight of the cyclo-cross racers, who live for competing in sloppy conditions.
The muddy conditions will only get worse throughout the week, with more snow in the forecast Friday.
Collegiate racing will wrap up Thursday, with the team relay competition set to begin at 1:20 p.m. The battle between Fort Lewis, Brevard and Marian will be settled in the 4x4 lap team relay format.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
