The ETSU cycling team opened the Mountain Bike season with an impressive showing among a tough field gathered in Tallahassee, Fla.
Seven racers made the journey and many brought back medals.
Chad Edwards, a graduate student in exercise science, won the time trial, short track and placed fourth in the cross country race.
Alan Shockley, a sports management major, placed fourth in the time trial, second in the short track and eighth in the cross country events.
Levi Olsen, Terry Hinton, Abe McIntyre and John Horn put in excellent performances that gained the team valuable points in the competition.
The women’s cycling team was represented by Janina Williams.
Williams, in her first mountain bike race, finished fourth in the time trial, fifth in the short track and fourth in the cross country event, earning almost as many points for the team as the top men.
“I wrecked a couple times, but didn’t get hurt and then I started realizing this is fun . I like this,” Williams said.
Overall the team finished third of 12 teams.
According to coach Shockley, the competition has stepped up a notch and there are more teams this year and faster riders and it will be tough to improve on the team’s second place finish in the Southeast Conference this year in mountain biking.
“If we can get some more riders that want to compete and test their skills, you never know. We may be able to beat Florida for the title,” Shockley said.
“We also have to watch the up and coming teams such as Georgia Tech and Georgia. They show up with a big team and as long as everyone finishes then they get points for their team.”
The cycling team will host a race on April 13-14.
Full time students, graduate or undergraduates, who wish to participate in the cycling events, mountain bike or road bike events can contact Levi Olsen at 433-2292 or etsucyclingclub@hotmail.com to get more information.
A Southeast Conference cycling schedule can be viewed at www.seccc.org.

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