.bmp&contenttype= "\"WRAP YOUR CRANK!\" CRANKSKINS.com")
December 11, 2004
December 11, 2004 (Portland, Ore.) – The
2004 U.S. Cyclo-Cross National Championships continued today under clear
skies with cool temperatures as several categories powered through the
sludge at the Portland International Raceway. A thrilling U23 men’s
race was the premier event of the afternoon as Jesse Anthony (Beverly,
Mass.) rode to a sixth national championship, successfully defending his
2003 ‘cross title.
A
talented group of U23 riders lined up to race on a deteriorated course
that required both power and control. Riders in this category were
extremely motivated this afternoon, knowing that a win today would
result in a nomination to the World Championship Team headed to St.
Wendel, Germany in February. The field spread out quickly after entering
the main part of the course, and defending champion Jesse Anthony
immediately took the lead, setting the pace for the remaining laps.
Jeremy Powers was the only rider able to remain a threat to Anthony.
Although Powers is one of the stronger riders, and recently returned
from a full season of racing in Europe, his strength was no match
for Anthony’s speed.
By the second lap, it was evident that it was going to be a two-man race
for the win. Fighting it out for third was Zach Grabowski, Matt White,
Brent Bookwalter, and Troy Wells. Anthony was able to stay at least 10
seconds in front of Powers for the entire race, and rode across the finish
line ahead of his opponent to a cheering crowd. The bronze medal went to
Wells, while White and Bookwalter claimed the final two spots on the podium.
Earlier in the day, Matt Shriver (Fort Lewis College) bested Troy Heithecker
(Washington) and rode away with the stars and stripes jersey in the men’s
collegiate race. His win contributed to Fort Lewis College’s overall
Omnium title. Shriver, who placed second in last year’s race, had
to battle it out with Heithecker for the race’s entirety as the two
held a substantial gap on the rest of the field and swapped positions several
times.
The day seemed to feature head to head battles and keeping with that theme
was the Junior Men’s race, where Alex Coelho (Loveland, Colo.) and
Daniel Summerhill (Centennial, Colo.) were locked in a battle for first
that ended in a sprint finish with Coelho taking the win. Jacob Rathe (Portland,
Ore.) rode away from his opponents to take home the national championship
in the Junior Men’s 13-14 competition, while J.D. Fette (Woodinville,
Wash.) put forth the winning effort in the Junior Men’s 10-12 race.
Also
turning into a two-rider race at the front was the Junior Women’s
15-18 event in which Stephanie White (Bedford, N.H.) and relative newcomer
Lauren Trull (Greensboro, N.C.) fought a heated battle. White, who has
been racing in the elite category all season in New England, rode away
with the victory. In the Junior Women’s 10-14 race, Hollis Owen
(Lynchburg, Va.) claimed the prize.
A beautiful day of cyclo-cross also featured some exciting action in the
most competitive masters categories. After winning two Masters 30-34 titles,
Richard Feldman (Ketchum, Idaho) moved up a category this year and took
a third consecutive title – this time in the 35-39 group. Justin
Robinson (Santa Cruz, Calif.) bested Johannes Huseby (Malden, Mass.) for
the national title in the men’s 30-34 field. Mark Noble (Oxnard,
Calif.) had opened up a 20-second gap going into the bell lap of the men’s
40-44 race and rode away with the stars and stripes jersey ahead of Gunnar
Shogren (Morgantown, W.Va.).
In women’s racing, Margell Abel (Boulder, Colo.) won the 35-39 category
ahead of Megan Clark (Baltimore, Md.). Sarah Kerlin (Santa Cruz, Calif.)
barely made it to the line ahead of Maureen Bruno Roy (Cerlington, Mass.)
in the women’s 30-34 event to claim the national championship.
The U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships will conclude tomorrow with
the Junior men’s 17-18 and the Elite men’s and women’s
races.
TODAY’S RESULTS
U23 Men
1. Jesse Anthony (Beverly, Mass.)
2. Jeremy Powers
3. Troy Wells
4. Matt White
5. Brent Bookwalter
Junior Men 15-16
1. Alex Coelho (Loveland, Colo.)
2. Daniel Summerhill (Centennial, Colo.)
3. Carson Miller (Bend, Ore.)
4. Chris Peterson (Sandy, Utah)
5. Jerome Townsend (Princeton, Mass.)
Junior Men 13-14
1. Jacob Rathe (Portland, Ore.)
2. Eric Emslay (Fall City, Wash.)
3. Luciano Worl (Woodinville, Wash.)
4. Paul Sales (Yakima, Alaska)
5. Chase Williams (Paola, Alaska)
Junior Men 10-12
1. J.D. Fette (Woodinville, Wash.)
2. Logan Owen (Bremerton, Wash.)
3. Austin Clevenger (Bellingham, Wash.)
4. Joe Haulman (Denver, Colo.)
5. Evan Renwick (Federal Way, Wash.)
Junior Women 15-18
1. Stephanie White (Bedford, N.H.)
2. Lauren Trull (Greensboro, N.C.)
3. Danielle Haulman (Denver, Colo.)
4. Andrea Fisk (Washougal, Wash.)
5. Amara Boursaw (Stanwood, Wash.)
Junior Women 10-14
1. Hollis Owen (Lynchburg, Va.)
2. Catherine Maier (Yakima, Wash.)
3. Kendall Ryan (Ventura, Calif.)
4. Samantha Limesand (Snohomish, Wash.)
5. Sierra Reid (Portland, Ore.)
Collegiate Men
1. Matt Shriver (Fort Lewis College)
2. Troy Heithecker (Washington)
3. Brian Matter (Wisc. Sheboygan)
4. Morgan Schmitt (Washinton)
5. Tristan Schouten (PCW Cycling Team)
College Omnium
1. Fort Lewis College
2. Washington
3. University of New Hampshire
Masters Women 35-39
1. Margel Abel (Boulder, Colo.)
2. Megan Clark (Baltimore, Md.)
3. Wendy William (Portland, Ore.)
Masters Women 30-34
1. Sarah Kerlin (Santa Cruz, Calif.)
2. Maureen Bruno Roy (Cerlington, Mass.)
3. Celeste Drumm (Lenox, Mass.)
4. Ingrid Spies (Seattle, Wash.)
5. Hollie McGovern (Nevada City, Calif.)
Masters Men 40-44
1. Mark Noble (Oxnard, Calif.)
2. Gunnar Shogren (Morgantown, W.Va.)
3. James Coat (Seaside, Calif.)
4. Tom Phillips (Seattle, Wash.)
5. Jonathan Card (Toledo, Ohio)
Masters Men 35-39
1. Richard Feldman (Ketchum, Idaho)
2. Michael Yozell (Philadelphia, Pa.)
3. Charlie Storm (Sanford, N.C.)
. John-Christian Flack (Olympia Wash.)
5. John Funke (San Francisco, Calif.)
Masters Men 30-34
1. Justin Robinson (Santa Cruz, Calif.)
2. Johannes Huseby (Malden, Mass.)
3. Shannon Skerritt (Portland, Ore.)
4. Frank Mapel (Durango, Colo.)
5. Brandon Dwight (Boulder, Colo.)
