Technical courses greet racers at Texas Tech

By Jay Coleman

It was out to Lubbock this weekend for many collegiate cyclists in Texas and Oklahoma looking to compete in the first mass start events of the 2010 South Central Collegiate Cycling Conference season. Teams from as far away as Houston joined in the action, each looking to strike first in what is to be a long road season.

Early Saturday morning, riders embarked on a circuit race featuring two canyon ascents and descents per 18.6-mile loop. The Men’s A saw Joshua Carter (Midwestern State University) winning solo just ahead of Chad Haga (Texas A&M) and Joseph Tokarski (University of Texas – Austin).

In the Men’s B, Roy Bracey (Midwestern State University) edged Ken Day (University of Texas – Austin) and Sean Brown (Midwestern State University) to the line.

Daniel Duryea (University of North Texas) took the Men’s C ahead of Zack Paetzold (Texas Tech University) and Benjamin Ryan (Univeristy of Texas – Austin).

In the Men’s D, Jay Coleman (University of Oklahoma) beat Kyle Springer (Texas Tech University) and John Paul Barrandey (Texas Tech University) out of a 10-man break.

The Women’s A saw a podium sweep by Midwestern State Unviersity, with Jen Purcell finishing ahead of teammates Marilyn Cullinane and Claire Routledge. In the Women’s B Ashlea Britton (University of North Texas) took first, ahead of Sarah Simmons (Texas A&M) and Krysta McKinnon (Texas Tech University).

Following the road race and a hearty lunch, racers were greeted with sunny skies and a howling tailwind for an extremely technical 6-mile point-to-point time trial. Chad Haga stopped the clock ahead of Jason Short (Midwestern State Unversity) and Cody Foster (Texas A&M) in the Men’s A.

The Men’s B saw Roy Bracey taking the win with Ken Day and Kevin Lovelace (Texas A&M) finishing just behind.

Benjamin Ryan put in a fast time to win the Men’s C ahead of Clint Hankla (Texas A&M) and Daniel Duryea.

Jay Coleman narrowly beat John Paul Barrandey and Harry Mann (Texas Tech University) to take the Men’s D.

Midwestern State University once again swept the Women’s A podium, with Jen Purcell finishing ahead of Marilyn Cullinane and Lauren Eggenschwiler. As in the road race, Ashlea Britton took the win in the Women’s B ahead of Sarah Simmons and Krysta McKinnon.

Technical criterium

Sunday’s criterium was hosted on a very technical one-mile course featuring 11 90-degree turns, and four sweeping turns. Sunday morning saw high winds sweeping across the relatively unsheltered course, making technical ability of the utmost importance. The Men’s A featured a photo finish with Joshua Carter finish a half-wheel ahead of Cody Foster in the sprint.

In the Men’s B Sean Brown took the win ahead of Tyler Matthies (Midwestern State University) and Ben Davis (Texas A&M).

The Men’s C saw Benjamin Ryan edge Daniel Duryea and Adam Finck (Texas Tech University).

In the Men’s D, Harry Mann, took the victory, with Kyle Springer and Jay Coleman finishing behind.

Claire Routledge won the Women’s A, with Tifany Stewart and Marilyn Cullinane finishing second and third. In the Women’s B, Ashlea Britton wonce again took the victory ahead of Sarah Simmons and Krysta McKinnon.

The South Central Collegiate Cycling Conference season continues next weeked at Tunis-Roubaix hosted by Texas A&M.

FILED UNDER: Collegiate / News / Race Report / Road