Track Cycling Nationals conclude

The 2010 U.S. Paralympics Cycling Track National Championships wrapped up Sunday July 25, at the 7-Eleven Velodrome.  Two American records were unofficially broken by Allison Jones (Colorado Springs, Colo.) in the women’s 500m/kilo and by Clark Rachfal (Annapolis, Md.) and Dave Swanson (Tucson, Ariz.) in the men’s kilo.  Many of the new and upcoming athletes were also able to meet military, emerging, and talent pool standards. 

“Today was the day to put it all on the line” said Jones in reference to the unofficial record breaker.  “I’m finally getting into the hunt, which puts me on par to ride competitively with the other women athletes at worlds.”

Mike Farrell (Colorado Springs, Colo.), who was disappointed in his times on Friday, “came out here emotionally charged” to be named national champion with a 99.4% in the men's kilo competition.  Rachfal and Swanson received silver with a 100.5%, and bronze went to Sam Kavanagh (Bozeman, Mont.), with a 101.1%.  

In the women’s 500m/kilo Greta Neimanas (Colorado Springs, Colo.) finished with a 99.6% taking gold.  Jones received silver with a 100.2%, and Carrie Willoughby and Lianna Miller were the bronze medalists with a 113.4%

Kevin Meyers and Bob Springer took gold in the tandem spring with a 109.1%.  They were followed by silver medalists Chester Triplett and Jim Alvord with a 115.5%.  Bronze went to Steve Baskis and Jamie Alvord with a 118.2%.

The final event was the team sprint and Kavanagh, Aaron Trent, and Will Chesebro (Goleta, Calif.) took gold.  Silver medalists were Neimanas, Jones and Farrell.  They were followed by Jones, Craig Vogtberger, and Vincent Juarez took bronze.