Milligan Cycling claims Women’s Team Time Trial national championship

AUGUSTA, Ga. (May 6, 2022) – Megan Jastrab, Madeline Bemis, Marjie Bemis and Madelline Mendoza captured the national title in the Women's Time Trial on the first day USA Cycling's Collegiate Road National Championships in Augusta on Friday.

The Buffs quartet of Jastrab, Madeline Bemis, Marjie Bemis and Mendoza navigated the nearly 22-mile route in 51:10.47 to finish over 18 seconds ahead of second place Fort Lewis.

"It was impressive; it was a great ride," said head coach Zack Nave. "They've worked hard, they deserve it. We had some setbacks coming into nationals and had some people step up and fill some spots. They rose to the occasion. It's exciting – a good way to start off nationals."

The title was Milligan's second-ever Women's Team Time Trial national championship at road nationals. Stephanie Nave, Zoe Mullins, Hannah Swan and Morgan Miller took home the championship in 2016. The championship marks Milligan's sixth event national championship and third road event title in program history.

Jastrab adds this national title to a pair of 2019 national track cycling championships to become the third student-athlete to win three event national championships in school history, joining track champions Hannah Segrave and Rasheem Brown. For Madeline Bemis, it's her second title as she took home the Women's Omnium national title at the 2018 Mountain Bike National Championships. Madeline and Marjie Bemis become the first set of siblings to claim national championships in Milligan University history.

Milligan also medaled in the Men's Team Time Trial as Bobby Comfort, Isaac Bryant, Adin Papell and Kyle Tiesler earned a third-place finish in 45:55.80.

The Buffs lead the Team Omnium standings with 146 points after the Team Time Trials. Colorado Mesa, the Men's Team Time Trials champions sit in second place with 142 points. The Team Omnium standings are determined by each team's performance in the men's and women's time trials, road race and criterium.

In the Individual Time Trial, Morgan Johnston finished 23rd in the women's trial. Elijah Johnson was 15th and Kyle Tiesler finished 22nd in the men's trial.

The Collegiate National Championships return with the Men's and Women's Road Race

Women's Team Time Trial:
Megan Jastrab, Madeline Bemis, Marjie Bemis and Madelline Mendoza – 1st

Men's Team Time Trial:
Bobby Comfort, Isaac Bryant, Adin Papell and Kyle Tiesler – 3rd

Women's Individual Time Trial:
Morgan Johnston – 23rd

Men's Individual Time Trial:
Elijah Johnson – 15th
William Seitz – 22nd