In mid-April, six riders from the University Recreation Arkansas Cycling club competed in the 2012 Midwestern State University Cycling Classic in Wichita Falls, Texas. The club brought home seven medals.

This race featured three events: Road Race, Team Time Trial, and the Criterium Race for both high school and collegiate teams from Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.  

The Road Races are typically long and take place on open roads. The Team Time Trial races usually take place on the road racecourse. The overall team’s time is based on the second rider from that team to cross the finish line. The Criterium races are held on courses typically less than one-mile long and consist of sharp corners. It is a high-speed race that is usually 20‐60 laps depending on the category. The first rider across the finish line wins.

The UREC Cycling club had riders in three categories: Men’s C, Men’s D, and Women’s C. The scale is A through D, with the top athletes riding in the A group.

“It’s been a great experience to get involved in collegiate cycling,” said cycling member, Sam Schwaller. “I am extremely proud of what our team has accomplished.”

The Men’s D team, which comprises Luke Osborn, Ben Ross, Sean Salazar, and Sam Schwaller swept all three categories and even beat the entire Men’s C Team Time Trial race, winning the race by 10 seconds.

The UREC Women’s C rider, Danielle Teese, also finished first in all three events, an impressive feat for her first collegiate race.

To learn more about the UREC Cycling club and how you can get involved, contact Danielle at cyclist@uark.edu or visit clubsports.uark.edu/cycling/ and check out their  Facebook page.  

To support the club financially, visit them on Saturday, May 5, at the grand opening of the new Phat Tire Bike Shop in Bentonville and purchase a club jersey or water bottle.

For more information about all Club Sports, contact Shannon Dere at 575-6736 or sdere@uark.edu.