Undeterred by mud, five Anchorage cyclists held their own at the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships in Lakewood, Wash.
Cadence Stull
Dara Stull
“It was muddier than I thought it was going to be,” said James Stull, adding that his family’s fleet of bikes had to be washed twice daily.
Ellie Mitchell of Anchorage had the Alaskan contingent’s top result, placing sixth in the Under 23 female championships. The daughter of Joan Hansen Mitchell and Superal Mitchell, Ellie has also placed well at the mountain biking nationals in recent years.
Among the Stulls, Dara placed 14th in the Junior age 11-12 race and Cadence was 21st in the junior age 15-16 event.
“Proud of Cadence and Dara to shake off the nerves and have fun in the mud and rain all weekend,” Amber Stull said on Facebook.
Cadence, Dara, Amber and James Stull
Amber placed 14th in the women’s age 40-44 Cat 1/2/3 event and James, the owner of Chain Reaction Cycles, started 84th and passed 40 racers to place 44th in the men’s age 45-49 Cat 1/2/3/ division. James also raced to 19th in the men’s Industry event.
“Wow, that was a crazy trip,” Amber said. “Cyclocross Nats was legit.”
Complete results from the host of races can be viewed here: