Monroe, Pennington take Cyclo-cross Titles
Portland, Ore. (December 12, 2003)— The 2003 U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships began today as several categories competed for the coveted stars and stripes jersey in the customary damp and overcast conditions that characterize the Pacific Northwest. As most of the elite men and women were on hand for reconnaissance purposes before Sunday’s competition, a few master categories, along with collegiate and U-23 women, took to the track today on a course at Portland International Speedway.
Ran simultaneously, the collegiate and U-23 women’s race began the day with a forty minute timed event. Megan Monroe (University of Wisconsin) was the first woman across the line, taking home the title of Collegiate National Champion and Alice Pennington (Hood River, Ore.) won the U-23 category. From the gun, Monroe settled into her pace in the front of the field and rode conservatively throughout the technical 0.6-mile circuit, recognizing the danger of the slick and muddy conditions. Monroe, who was the defending U-23 National Champion, rode to another national title, this time in the collegiate ranks. Pennington’s effort was a bit more eventful as a flat on the first lap made things interesting. After receiving a bike change, she managed to make up the spots she lost due to the mechanical and reclaim her position at the front of the U-23 pack.
Afterwards, Monroe explained her tactics that contributed to her victory. “We all just stuck together at the beginning of the race and took it easy on the off-camber sections. There were a lot of riders sliding out, so the mud really made the race. One slide-out and you were out of contention. Basically, I just slowed it down a notch and rode a clean race.”
Pennington, a former U.S. National Mountain Bike Champion, cited the relatively open nature of the course as her ally. “I usually struggle with getting off the bike and the run-ups. There wasn’t a lot of that on this course. I think my mountain bike experience helped a lot.”
The completion of the opening event gave way to the masters as the men’s 50-54 category and 55+ toed the line for their competition. After 45 minutes of racing, Dan Norton (Tukwila, Wash.) gave a national championship effort in the men’s 50-54 category, putting 45 seconds into sliver medalist, Harold Parker (Lenexa, Kansas). In the men’s 55+ category, James Wagner (Auburn, Wash.) outperformed Keith Gregory(Alfred, N.Y.) by over a minute to capture a national title.
Next up, the master women took the course as Maryann Martinez (West Mystic, Conn.) won the women’s 40-44 category and Lisa Given (Mercer Island, Wash.) bested the rest of the women’s 45+ field, also in a 45 minute timed event.
The final event of the day, the men’s 45-49 category, ended with a win from Karl Kiester (Denver, Colo.).
The 2003 U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships continue on Saturday with junior and master action along with collegiate men and U-23 men’s competition. Photos of today’s racing are available at www.usacycling.org/gallery.
RESULTS (Top 5 in each category)
Collegiate Women
1. Megan Monroe (University of Wisconsin)
2. Jennifer Gersbach (University of Colorado)
3. Elizabeth Schauer (University of Pittsburgh)
4. Eszter Horanyi (University of Colorado)
5. Catherine Dudley (University of New Hampshire)
U-23 Women
1. Alice Pennington (Hood River, Ore.)
2. Jennifer Franklin (San Marcos, Calif.)
3. Eszter Horanyi (Boulder, Colo.)
4. Megan Elliot (Tama, Iowa)
5. Catherine Dudley (New Ipswitch, N.H.)
Men 50-54
1. Dan Norton (Tukwila, Wash.)
2. Harold Parker (Lenexa, Kansas)
3. David Rath (Williston, Vt.)
4. Robert Bieterman (Boulder, Colo.)
5. Mark Schwyhart (Portland, Ore.)
Men 55+
1. James Wagner (Auburn, Wash.)
2. Keith Gregory (Alfred, N.Y..)
3. Frank Cuaresma (San Jose, Calif.)
4. Walt Chudleigh (Park City, Utah)
5. Richard Marantz (Portland, Ore.)
Women 40-44
1. Maryann Martinez (West Mystic, Conn.)
2. Wanda Howlett (Kent, Wash.)
3. Karen Kenlan (Bend, Ore.)
4. Julia Bestland (Portland, Ore.)
5. Andi Mackie (Walnut Creek, Calif.)
Women 45+
1. Lisa Given (Mercer Island, Wash.)
2. Susan McLean (Plaistow, N.H.)
3. Kim Lucas (Portland, Ore.)
4. Pam Reid (Portland, Ore.)
5. Shelia Sneft (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Men 45-49
1. Karl Keister (Denver, Colo.)
2. Dean Lucas (Portland, Ore.)
3. Paul Curley (Taunton, Mass.)
4. Randall Root (Sterling, Va.)
5. William Sawyer (Arlington, Mass)
About USA Cycling Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 45,000 members and 2,000 annual events. USA Cycling associations include the National Bicycle League (BMX), National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), U.S. Cycling Federation (road/track) and the U.S. Professional Racing Organization (professional men's road). For more information, contact Director of Communications Andy Lee at (719) 866-4867 or visit www.usacycling.org.
Ran simultaneously, the collegiate and U-23 women’s race began the day with a forty minute timed event. Megan Monroe (University of Wisconsin) was the first woman across the line, taking home the title of Collegiate National Champion and Alice Pennington (Hood River, Ore.) won the U-23 category. From the gun, Monroe settled into her pace in the front of the field and rode conservatively throughout the technical 0.6-mile circuit, recognizing the danger of the slick and muddy conditions. Monroe, who was the defending U-23 National Champion, rode to another national title, this time in the collegiate ranks. Pennington’s effort was a bit more eventful as a flat on the first lap made things interesting. After receiving a bike change, she managed to make up the spots she lost due to the mechanical and reclaim her position at the front of the U-23 pack.
Afterwards, Monroe explained her tactics that contributed to her victory. “We all just stuck together at the beginning of the race and took it easy on the off-camber sections. There were a lot of riders sliding out, so the mud really made the race. One slide-out and you were out of contention. Basically, I just slowed it down a notch and rode a clean race.”
Pennington, a former U.S. National Mountain Bike Champion, cited the relatively open nature of the course as her ally. “I usually struggle with getting off the bike and the run-ups. There wasn’t a lot of that on this course. I think my mountain bike experience helped a lot.”
The completion of the opening event gave way to the masters as the men’s 50-54 category and 55+ toed the line for their competition. After 45 minutes of racing, Dan Norton (Tukwila, Wash.) gave a national championship effort in the men’s 50-54 category, putting 45 seconds into sliver medalist, Harold Parker (Lenexa, Kansas). In the men’s 55+ category, James Wagner (Auburn, Wash.) outperformed Keith Gregory(Alfred, N.Y.) by over a minute to capture a national title.
Next up, the master women took the course as Maryann Martinez (West Mystic, Conn.) won the women’s 40-44 category and Lisa Given (Mercer Island, Wash.) bested the rest of the women’s 45+ field, also in a 45 minute timed event.
The final event of the day, the men’s 45-49 category, ended with a win from Karl Kiester (Denver, Colo.).
The 2003 U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships continue on Saturday with junior and master action along with collegiate men and U-23 men’s competition. Photos of today’s racing are available at www.usacycling.org/gallery.
RESULTS (Top 5 in each category)
Collegiate Women
1. Megan Monroe (University of Wisconsin)
2. Jennifer Gersbach (University of Colorado)
3. Elizabeth Schauer (University of Pittsburgh)
4. Eszter Horanyi (University of Colorado)
5. Catherine Dudley (University of New Hampshire)
U-23 Women
1. Alice Pennington (Hood River, Ore.)
2. Jennifer Franklin (San Marcos, Calif.)
3. Eszter Horanyi (Boulder, Colo.)
4. Megan Elliot (Tama, Iowa)
5. Catherine Dudley (New Ipswitch, N.H.)
Men 50-54
1. Dan Norton (Tukwila, Wash.)
2. Harold Parker (Lenexa, Kansas)
3. David Rath (Williston, Vt.)
4. Robert Bieterman (Boulder, Colo.)
5. Mark Schwyhart (Portland, Ore.)
Men 55+
1. James Wagner (Auburn, Wash.)
2. Keith Gregory (Alfred, N.Y..)
3. Frank Cuaresma (San Jose, Calif.)
4. Walt Chudleigh (Park City, Utah)
5. Richard Marantz (Portland, Ore.)
Women 40-44
1. Maryann Martinez (West Mystic, Conn.)
2. Wanda Howlett (Kent, Wash.)
3. Karen Kenlan (Bend, Ore.)
4. Julia Bestland (Portland, Ore.)
5. Andi Mackie (Walnut Creek, Calif.)
Women 45+
1. Lisa Given (Mercer Island, Wash.)
2. Susan McLean (Plaistow, N.H.)
3. Kim Lucas (Portland, Ore.)
4. Pam Reid (Portland, Ore.)
5. Shelia Sneft (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Men 45-49
1. Karl Keister (Denver, Colo.)
2. Dean Lucas (Portland, Ore.)
3. Paul Curley (Taunton, Mass.)
4. Randall Root (Sterling, Va.)
5. William Sawyer (Arlington, Mass)
About USA Cycling Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 45,000 members and 2,000 annual events. USA Cycling associations include the National Bicycle League (BMX), National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), U.S. Cycling Federation (road/track) and the U.S. Professional Racing Organization (professional men's road). For more information, contact Director of Communications Andy Lee at (719) 866-4867 or visit www.usacycling.org.
This Article Published December 12, 2003 For more information contact:
