2003 US Cyclo-cross Nationals - CN

Portland International Raceway, Portland, Oregon, USA, December 12-14, 2003

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December 14: Women B & C

Nicholson and Church slug through the mud to success

In the Category B women, it was Samantha Nicholson from Calgary who took the win in the mud. Nicholson normally rides the elite category but was not eligible to race with the elite race in the US Nationals. This weekend she came to race to prepare for World Championships where she will represent Canada in January.

"I came down for fun really, but it was really good practice in these muddy conditions," she said. "I've never raced in mud like this and it was a great experience. Besides it's 10 degrees Fahrenheit where I live."

Nicholson is only in her second season in cyclocross racing and has come from MTB and road racing. "Cross racing is definitely my best sport," she said. "I think my strengths from the road and my strengths from mountain biking come together well for me."

Coming second in the event was Emily Babcock, followed by hometown girl Kristen Watanabe.

Philadelphia girl, Kristine Church won the Category C women's cross race today by 47" from Trish Albert. The women raced early in the morning, just as the sun went behind the clouds and a few raindrops started to fall. The mud was very thick from the prior two days of racing in the rain and the conditions were tough.

In only her sixth ever cyclocross race ever (her fifth race being on Friday in the collegiate category), Church pulled out a great result and was very happy. "I'm extra happy, because I had mechanical problems on Friday in the collegiate race and I was disappointed," she said. "I really had fun in the mud today, although I'm not used to racing in it."

Taking third place and rounding off the podium was Tove Shere from New Mexico, finishing 1'05" back from Church.

Results

Women Cat B
 
1 Samantha Nicholson (Bianchi-The Bike)      27.14
2 Emily Babcock                               0.38
3 Kristen Watanabe                            1.33
4 Susan Ashlock                               1.52
5 Lauren Trull (Easton/Kona)                  2.28
6 Laurel Gitten
7 Mary Skrzynski                              2.31
8 Catherine Johnson                           2.46
9 Anna Saltonstall (Team S+M)                 2.56
10 Jadine Riley                               3.12
11 Martha Handford                            3.36
12 Awyse Weyman                               4.01
13 Valerie Groesz                             5.14
14 Julie Brothers (Team Walthour)             5.23
15 Lea Julson (Sunnyside)
16 Karen Kefauver (Velo Bella)                5.44
17 Kellie Peotter
 
Women Cat C
 
1 Kristine Church (Univ Of Boulder)          31.32
2 Trish Albert (Team Peggy)                   0.47
3 Tove Shere (Ochsner)                        1.05
4 Shan Wo (Colorado Velo)                     1.18
5 Alicia Streit                               1.44
6 Shawn Oswald                                2.00
7 Evelyn West (Team S+M)
8 Susan Prieto
9 Chatherine Hardy                            2.28
10 Mary Perez (Ucsc)                          4.08
11 Lori Miller                                4.43
12 Amy Abele (Valley)                         6.34
13 Kelly Witty (Half Fast Velo)               6.40
14 Therese Waldow                             7.11
15 Erin Ambrose                              12.44