The Maroons competed in the ACC Conference Championships this past weekend at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. We had a slight lead over second place on the men's side going into the last races, where double points were up for grabs. Nathaniel Gervez was leading the competition, but would miss Saturday's race, while his rival in second place was registered to compete both days. This left the responsibility to Jensen Cervati or William Dodds to claim the overall, sitting in third and fourth respectively. Either would be able to take the title if they could best our Liberty University challenger both days. 

In the Criterium Saturday, we were "short-staffed" with only half the team being able to attend due to final exam schedules. Ruby Telepak jumped in the men's cat 3/4 race with teammates Aidan Goldberg and Aidan Snow. She was looking to get some high-speed training and valuable technical experience and certainly held her own against a strong field of men. Snow fought courageously to stay in it but was still overcoming an illness and quickly fell off the back of the lead group. Goldberg had the best ride of his collegiate career in what shaped up to be a super-fast and technical race.

Cervati and Dodds took the start in the men's pro 1/2/3 race. It was fast and furious from the gun, and they were stuck covering all the early attacks between the two of them. When the decisive move went up the road, they were not able to cover it, and we had to settle for the field sprint. Dodds did his best to position Cervati at the front in the final lap, but he had very little left to give in the sprint and ended up fourth on the day. 

Cervati would end up missing out on Sunday's 60-mile road race due to illness, so it was up to Dodds to see if he could claim the title of Conference Champion. He did not disappoint.
The 65-rider field of competition was a combination of collegiate and professional riders who would be scored separately after the race commenced. With the help of teammates, Nathaniel Gervez and Michael Gallik, Dodds fought hard to stay in the race and found his legs in the final sprint, finishing with an impressive 3rd place overall and 1st of all collegiate riders. Gervez and Gallik came in just behind, and we ended up sweeping the collegiate podium, a perfect way to end the regular season.  

Ragan Weigel, Lauren Weigel and Ruby Telepak also competed on the tough course, covering 50-miles in a combined field of collegiate and professional women. Telepak had a great ride finishing top 10 and taking first place in the collegiate category. Lauren and Ragan Weigel were second and third respectively.
 
Gus Lynott continues to show his potential. In the men's collegiate category 3/4 race, Lynott rode to a solid fourth place finish on a 40-mile hilly course. He is well on his way to upgrading to the next level and racing with the elite men. Alastair Amos also rode well, finishing in fifth place.

The Conference Championship is an honor and a great achievement by the team. We fought hard all season and the fact that we were in contention with more than one rider means we are truly a force in our conference.  The Championship gives us a front row call up at Collegiate Road Race National Championships in Madison, Wisconsin next week. William Dodds will take the line in both the Road Race and the Criterium, while Ragan Weigel will represent in the Criterium only.