Lopez de San Roman Earns First Milligan Cyclocross Title, Squad Places Second

Vida Lopez de San Roman became the first cyclist in Milligan history to win a USA Cycling Cyclocross individual national title

December 16, 2024

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Milligan University cycling squad took part in the USA Cycling Cylcocross National Championships in Louisville, Ky. over the course of Dec. 12-15. It was the most successful cyclocross nationals performance in program history, with the first individual championship and highest overall team finish of all time in the discipline.

Vida Lopez de San Roman became the first ever Milligan cyclist to win a USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championship, standing atop the podium on the women's side. Samantha Clark finished sixth as an individual, reaching the top 10 in impressive fashion. Kaya Schroeder clocked in 26th, while a trio of others finished within four spots of each other. Megan Lester (36th), Megan Eakin (37th) and Morgan Johnston (39th) rounded out the Buffs' top six.

For the men, Brody McDonald came away with a seventh-place showing as an individual, with Trevor August (23rd) and Jura Gerlach (25th) also placing in the top 25. Santiago Gomez crossed the line in 41st, with Riley Wrightsman placing 49th. The final man in the top 50 for Milligan was Liam Clark, who ended up 50th.

After the individual contests on Thursday, the squads took part in the Co-Ed Collegiate Team Relay on Friday, in which they placed second with just two riders. Each of the other teams in the field used four riders for their squads, but Milligan had McDonald and Lopez de San Roman run multiple legs, apiece, en route to a runner-up conclusion.

Later that day, the Team Overall standings were decided, with the Buffaloes posting a second-place finish. It was the best result in program history at cyclocross nationals.

On Saturday, to make things even more impressive, Lopez de San Roman forewent the USA Cycling U-23 Championship to race in the USA Cycling Pro Elite Cyclocross National Championship. That decision proved to be a wise one, as the freshman phenom became the youngest rider ever to win a pro national title in USA Cycling history.

The squad will return for the road portion of their year-long schedule in February, loooking to build off a stellar conclusion to the 2024 portion of their season.