May 7, 2018

Marian University Wins Title At USA Cycling Nationals

The Marian University cycling team (center) won the D1 Varsity national title Sunday, May 6 at the USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships. - Courtesy USA Cycling via Facebook

The Marian University cycling team (center) won the D1 Varsity national title Sunday, May 6 at the USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships.

Courtesy USA Cycling via Facebook

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) — Cycling powerhouse Marian University won the national championship in its omnium division on Sunday, the final day of the USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships.

Ben Schmutte, a senior from Noblesville, Indiana, finished second for Marian in the men's criterium through the streets of downtown Grand Junction, and the Marian women's team ran third, fourth and sixth in their race to clinch the D1 Varsity national title over host school Colorado Mesa University, 438 points to 359.

The omnium also includes results from Friday's road race and Saturday's time trials. Marian started slowly in the road race, but won Saturday's women's team time trial for the ninth year in a row and the men's team time trial for the fourth year in a row to set up the Sunday's title run.

"This is all about team, and we came through today with a great effort," Marian coach Dean Peterson said. "Ben Schmutte stands out with two second-place finishes and winning the omnium, and the women all stepped up and worked together to get us to this point. I'm proud of the whole team."

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