John Wilson
This Sunday the PIR Cross Crusade is the final round of the OBRA Junior &
High School Cyclocross Series. Remember that the JCS is a best 6 out of 7,
and the HS series is the best 4 out of 5. Some of you will need this final
race to lock your finish position, others may already have their
category/position wrapped up.
The final awards will be held at Camp Harlow/Psycho Cross in Eugene during
the December 1st State Championships. The State Champs are not part of the
series, but is another great reason to come down to Eugene. Do your race and
come to the awards. You must be present to win. Please come and take part of
all the great awards and SWAG we will be giving away! Here are the grand
prize awards:
1. A complete Kona CX bike generously provided by Kona and Sellwood
Cycle Repair (you pick the size)
2. A Kona CX frame generously provided by Kona and Sellwood Cycle
Repair (you pick the size)
3. A 24" Kona CX bike for the smallest of the grand prize winners
again generously provided by Kona and Sellwood Cycle Repair
4. Two sets of ECX Clinchers generously provided by Rolf Prima.
Remember the grand prize awards are all Lottery based. Anyone who has
participated in the JCS/HS Series has a chance to win!
Hammer Nutrition has generously provided some great age category awards plus
we have a ton of other cycling merchandise, medals, and some awesome Series
Champion Jerseys from Castelli. The Cross Crusade has even thrown in a nice
award for the winning High School team who will also get to take home the
coveted Series Champion Trophy to hold for the entire year.
It will be a lot of fun, and a great opportunity to reflect on the great
season and accomplishments of OBRA Juniors. I hope everyone can be there.
You can find directions and race information for the State Championships
here: http://www.obra.org/flyers/2012/psycho_cross.html
A quick update on the racing completion going into the final event:
After being runner up two years in a row to Corvallis United, High Cascade
Cyclocross of Bend has locked up the High School team competition. I am
really excited and proud of the Bend team. They have been great competitors
and made a huge commitment to the High School and JCS programs. I want to
personally congratulate Matt Fox, and Bill Warburton for the great job they
have done with their team. They have an incredible Men's team, but have been
developing the Women's team who has really made an impact this year, and
next year will be even stronger. Well done High Cascade! You guys/gals
dominated this year.
Second place in the HS Competition will come down to every last point this
Sunday. There are four teams that can all take second place. Corvallis
United is currently in second, but with a good performance this Sunday Hood
River Valley, Columbia River Crossers, or the Portland Mud Warriors can take
it. It will be an exciting and important race. You can find the current
standings here: http://obra.org/events/21359/results
Many of the top podium spots in the age graded Junior Cyclocross Series
(JCS) are firmly under control by the current series leaders. The Men's
category leaders Keelan Ontiveros (10-12), Cameron Beard (13-14), Lance
Haidet (15-16), John Crandall (17-18) should all hold on to win. On the
Women's side Gabrielle Lehnert (10-12), Ivy Taylor (13-14), Susannah Hart
(15-16), and Sharon Hart (17-18) also have a firm hold on first place. The
JCS podium and awards go 5 deep and there will be lots of important battles
to assure the final spots on the podium. Current standings can be found
here: http://obra.org/events/21348
OK, we are nearing the end of another great season. One more race, and the
Awards. See you all this Sunday at the PIR Cross Crusade!
John Wilson
Director, The OBRA Junior & High School Cyclocross Series