jnalley posted on January 25, 2010 12:59
Besides our state podiums at Storm the Greens and the John Bryan Classic, the fall cyclocross season saw the team fielding racers at 15 races and in every category imaginable. While cross is as much a personal battle to finish, conquering the elements, the course, and the body’s limits along the way, the Team placed riders high up in the results every time the whistle blew. Fourteen riders suited up throughout the fall, and of those racers, six ended the season ranked in the top ten of their Ohio Valley Cyclocross Series (OVCX) category. This consistency and determination speaks highly of our Team’s commitment to the OVCX series, and should inspire fear in our competitors for next year’s battles.
Will Bain, the Team’s intrepid Jr. racer and State 17-18 Men champion, also earned the OVCX 1st Overall in this category. Will often lined up for both the Jr. 17-18 race and the Men’s Cat 4 race, the later proving to be a lethal warm-up. At the Tour de Louisville, (OVCX # 2), Will raced to a 10th in the Cat 4 race, following it up with a 1st in the Men’s Jr. 17-18. Over the UCI Weekend in Cincinnati, Will earned a 3rd at Java Johnny’s (#4) and a 5th the following day at Harbin Park (#5) in his Jr. Men starts.
Teri Meek, our Ohio State Elite Women champion, took the OVCX 4th Overall. Besides her gold medal 3rd at the John Bryan Classic (OVCX #14), Teri was also 3rd at Tour de Louisville (#2), 3rd at Cap City (#11), 4th at Kings CX (#1), 4th at Storm the Greens (#15), and 5th at Gun Club Cross (#9). This was a fantastic season in the Elite Women’s field for Teri.
Joseph Nalley, a new racer this fall with the team, rode to OVCX 6th Overall in the Cat 3 Men. With one muddy exception in Cincinnati, Joe raced in the top ten every time he lined up. A 4th place at Gun Club Cross (OVCX # 9) and another 4th the following weekend at Promotion Cross (#10) were as close as he could race to the podium.
Duane Walker, a constant presence throughout the series, tied for the OVCX 6th Overall Cat 3 Masters 35+. He started the season with a 6th at the Kings CX (OVCX #1), and consistently battled in the top ten at almost every race of the series. He was 5th at Blooming Cross (#6), 7th at USGP 1 (#7) and Brookside Cross (#13). He wrapped up a marathon season comfortably in his groove with an 8th at Storm the Greens (#15).
Marty Bearden, also a dedicated cross guru competing in the Master’s 35+, raced to OVCX 8th Overall in this category. His season began on the podium, with a strong 2nd at the Kings CX (OVCX #1). A 6th at the Tour de Louisville (#2) and a 4th at Blooming Cross (#6), solidified his standings near the top of the Masters Cat 3. Despite injury challenges later in the season, and Duane’s improving form, Marty finished out the season with a strong 12th at Storm the Greens (#15).
Suzanne Webster, competing in the women cat 3/4 35+ masters field, needed only six starts to earn her OVCX 10th Overall. Besides her season’s end on the Bronze podium step with an 11th at Storm the Greens (OVCX#15), Suzanne also scored a 7th at the Tour de Louisville (#2) and a 5th at day two of the USGP (#8). Also a noteworthy accomplishment was her ability to rock outrageous socks with such convincing style.