The Colorado Mesa University cycling team continues its quest towards dominance.
The Cycling squad has seen remarkable success over the past few seasons, this is a team filled with standout riders who love to rise to the occasion.
One would think a national championship team would be all over the front page, right?
“As for recognition…I would ask you to look on your own websites drop-down menu and see if the Criterion lists cycling as a sport on campus that one could select to read about.” Head Cycling Coach Brian Flaherty said.
That’s right, even the Criterion is at fault in failing to give credit where credit is due.
Regardless of all these undeniable efforts, the Cycling team here at CMU doesn’t seem to get the recognition they deserve. Yes, the support of our school’s President is there as well as local’s here in Grand Junction but compared to other, less successful major sports, the cycling team is hung out to dry by media outlets here on campus.
Despite the lack of support towards a team filled with victory, the Mavericks don’t plan on letting off the gas anytime soon.
With multiple upperclassman riders as well as multiple women riders CMU has made an ever-lasting impact in the college cycling scene.
“The overall ranking system within collegiate cycling ranks all varsity teams throughout the five national championships to determine the best program in the nation,” Assistant Coach Patric Rostel said. “Currently for the 2019-20 season, CMU is ranked the number one program in the country after Mountain Bike”.
The Mavericks recently made their mark at the National Varsity Championships held in Big Bear Lake, CA; standing tall on the podium once again. The team won another national championship after finishing the final day with a score of 668 in the omnium standings,
CMU’s Trevor McCutcheon finished second with a total score of 174. His teammates Collin Hudson and Torbjorn Roed passed the finish line placing fifth and sixth on the weekend.
“This year’s mountain bike team was a mix of upperclassmen and women who understand the demands of what a national level competition feels like and how to manage the stress and workload of a multiple-day race setting,” Rostel said. “In addition to the returning athletes, we were fortunate enough to have various freshman athletes that made an immediate impact on the team results that broke into the top 10 all the way to the top spot on the podium.”
The demands are high when competing for national championships. The stage is huge, and the expectations are even greater. Most teams would fold at the sight of this emotional endeavor, yet the Mavericks seem to reach the finish line time and time again.
The success of the Mavericks is a complete team effort proving that none of these achievements could be obtained without strong rides in all five respected disciplines.
Cycling will look to continue their triumphs at CycloCross in Parker, CO on Saturday, Oct. 26.
