Dunlap, JHK repeat for short track titles


Dunlap took a 2nd national title. 
September 26, 2004 (Mammoth Lakes, Calif.) – Alison Dunlap (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Boulder, Colo.) made it two for two at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships, as they both took home a second stars and stripes jersey in this afternoon’s short track contest.

With a strong wind and no teammates to work with, Dunlap made her move in only the second lap on the dusty course, and stayed away for the remainder of the race. A strong group of four chasers formed right away including Dara Marks-Marino (Flagstaff, Ariz.), Sue Haywood (Davis, W.Va.), Kerry Barnholt (Boulder, Colo.), and Willow Koerber (Gunnison, Colo.).

Marks-Marino made a late race attempt to break away from the chase group and catch the leader on her own, but the other three pulled her back in again. Dunlap’s lead continued to grow as the lap cards came out, and she crossed the finish line to bring a happy ending to her 2004 season. Marks-Marino rolled across the line next, taking her second silver medal of the week behind Alison. Barnholt earned the bronze, while Haywood and Koerber fought right at the finish line for fourth spot with Haywood winning the battle, and Koerber securing the fifth spot on the podium.


Marks-Marino, Barnholt, Koerber, and Haywood chased for the whole race.
Before the men’s race began, pro racer Heather Irmiger’s advice was “Hop on a wheel and kiss it.” The wind made it very difficult today for riders to stay away on their own, but just like Dunlap, Horgan-Kobelski managed to accomplish the same feat.

After a lap one breakaway attempt by Barry Wicks (Santa Cruz, Calif.), Adam Craig (Corinth, Maine), Ryan Trebon (Corvallis, Ore.), and Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski rode together off the front. JHK and Adam Craig dropped Trebon and worked together to pick up the pace. The U23 National Team’s Alan Obye (Mendon, Vt.) and John Devine (Dixon, Ill.) bridged up to Trebon, making strong attempts to catch the race leaders.

About halfway through the race, Carl Decker (Bend, Ore.) worked his way up to his Giant/Pearl Izumi teammate Adam Craig, putting the solo Ralph Lauren rider at a disadvantage. At the same time, Horgan-Kobelski’s fellow Olympian Todd Wells (Durango, Colo.) went to the front of the chase group to lead Trebon, Obye, and Devine. A couple of laps later, Wells went off the front of the chase group to catch the leaders.


JHK and Craig worked together in the race's early stages.
As the lap cards came out, Adam Craig was dropped off the back of the lead group, and JHK attacked to form a gap on Decker. He stayed away for the remainder of the race, with Decker, Craig, Wells, and Trebon evenly spaced out behind him. Horgan-Kobelski held his lead all the way to the end. With two national championship titles and the honor of being selected to the U.S. Olympic Team, Horgan-Kobelski can call 2004 an incredible season.

Women’s Short Track Results
1. Alison Dunlap
2. Dara Marks-Marino
3. Kerry Barnholt
4. Sue Haywood
5. Willow Koerber

Men’s Short Track Results
1. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski
2. Carl Decker
3. Adam Craig
4. Todd Wells
5. Ryan Trebon

For complete results from all racing at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships, click here.


This Article Published September 26, 2004 For more information contact: