Bend, Ore. -The Bend Endurance Academy’s (BEA) Junior Cyclocross Riders competed at Cyclocross Nationals which ran January 7 – 12 in Austin, TX.
The Academy sent three junior women and six junior men along with two coaches and several parents. “There were several groups from Oregon and we all shared transportation, housing and went out for BBQ together,” BEA Cycling Director Bill Warburton said.
Calvin Keane and Elijah Krause raced in the 13-14 Junior Men on Saturday afternoon. While it was quite cold and very slippery mud, the riders managed the course and conditions well to finish 36th and 37th respectively, out of 53 starters. “I ended up riding with Elijah for almost the whole race and I didn’t even know it,” Calvin said. “I was just looking ahead trying not to crash.”
The remaining juniors were supposed to race on Sunday morning, Warburton explained, “We dialed in tire pressure, had our spare equipment all ready to go and the riders were doing their warm-ups when people started spreading the word that the Parks and Rec District was stopping the event and closing the park.” The Juniors races were eventually rescheduled for Monday.
Sophie Russenberger, a senior at Summit High School had the highest finish for the Academy with a 6th place in the 17-18 Junior Women, while Bend Endurance Academy alum, Cameron Beard now riding for Cyclocrossworld.com had the best finish for a Bend junior with an exciting and determined 3rd place finish in the 17 – 18 Junior Men. Another Bend rider, Lance Haidet, now racing for Raleigh Bicycles led the Junior Men race ahead of Beard for the fist couple laps but dropped back after the thick mud contributed to a mechanical that tore off his rear derailleur, forcing him to run nearly half a lap to get a new bike in the pit.
“The entire community rallied behind our Bend juniors and I’m happy they were all able to compete, even though their races might not have all been what we wanted or expected, this was just one day. They race bikes because they love riding so I know they’ll learn some lessons and I’m looking forward to getting next season started.”
Oregon Junior Results: (Name, Team, Age Class, Place)
Calvin Keane, Bend Endurance Academy, 13-14 JRM, 36th
Elijah Krause, Bend Endurance Academy, 13-14 JRM, 37th
Hannah Mavis, Bend Endurance Academy, 17-18 JRW, 8th
Henry Jones, Bend Endurance Academy, 15-16 JRM, 24th
Donovan Birky, Bend Endurance Academy, 15-16 JRM, 23rd
Joe Lukens, Bend Endurance Alum, PDX Devo, 15-16 JRM, 48th
Scotty Wallace, Bend Endurance Academy, 15-16 JRM, 59th
Sophie Russenberger, Bend Endurance Academy, 17-18 JRW, 6th
Katie Ryan, Bend Endurance Academy, 17-18 JRW, 15th
Cameron Beard, Bend Endurance Alum, Cyclocrossworld.com, 17-18 JRM, 3rd
Lance Haidet, from Bend, Team Raleigh, 17-18 JRM, 19th
About Bend Endurance Academy
The Bend Endurance Academy is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. The Academy organizes and operates programs that promote health and wellness within Oregon. The Academy provides athletic coaching, mentorship, educational experiences, volunteer opportunities and events for a diverse group of youth, young adults, and other individuals who desire to excel at endurance sports. Our programs are innovative, affordable and inclusive. We work to encourage participants to succeed throughout every step of their athletic and individual development.
The Academy’s mission is to “promote healthy living through active, outdoor experiences. We emphasize teamwork, personal growth and community responsibility.”
Bend Endurance Academy currently offer programs for Nordic Skiing, Cycling, and Rock Climbing.
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