Milligan Cycling sends 10 riders to Mountain Bike National Championships

DURANGO, Colo. (October 14, 2021) – The Milligan University cycling team has sent 10 riders to Colorado to compete in the 2021 USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships, Oct. 14-17.

National Championship Schedule

The Buffs finished 10th at the 2019 mountain bike nationals at Big Bear Lake in California. There were no USA Cycling Collegiate National Championships during the 2020-21 academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Representing Milligan on the men's side in Colorado are Elijah Johnson, Matthew Spong, Brody McDonald, Ama Nsek, Adin Papell, Kyle Tiesler and William Seitz.

Marjie Bemis, Genevieve Plum and Meade Plum make up the Buffs' women's lineup at Mountain Bike Nationals.

On Thursday, Johnson and Spong made it through dual slalom qualifying and are set for the final tomorrow, while the cross country competitors completed practice sessions in wet and snowy conditions.

Day One: On Thursday, practice sessions are available for dual slalom and cross country competitors. Dual slalom qualifying begins at 3:00 p.m. to set up 32 riders for Friday's final.

Day Two: Friday begins with the women's cross country championship event at 8:00 a.m., followed by the men's national championship at 10:30. The dual slalom final begins at 4:30 p.m.

Day Three: Seeding for the downhill race takes place Saturday morning for the men and then the women. Both short track national championships will be decided Saturday afternoon.

Day Four: Sunday concludes Mountain Bike Nationals with downhill finals in the morning and the team relay championship at 2:00 p.m. The individual and team omnium standings will be finalized and awarded following the team relay.