Reaching milestones is what this year is all about, and Colorado Mesa University Cycling just hit a major one. During CMU’s centennial year, standout rider Grant Lampson brought home the program’s 100th individual national championship during the USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships at Powderhorn Mountain Resort, marking a historic moment for the Mavericks.

“Claiming CMU Cycling’s 100th national title during CMU’s 100th anniversary year felt pretty surreal,” said Lampson. “It speaks volumes to the number of great riders who have attended this university before me, and I’m very happy to add my name to that list.”

The success didn’t stop there. CMU Cycling also claimed its sixth consecutive Mountain Bike Team Overall National Championship this weekend, continuing its legacy of dominance on the national collegiate stage.

In total, the team captured seven individual national titles across multiple events, including:

Women’s XCC: Makena Kellerman
Men’s XCC: Ivan Sippy
Men’s XCO: Ivan Sippy
Team Relay: Ivan Sippy, Jack Spranger, Makena Kellerman and Elizabeth Knight
Women’s DH: Maylei Leaneagh
Men’s DS: Grant Ellwood
Men’s Individual Omnium: Jack Spranger 

Now in their 13th and 14th seasons, coaches Patric Rostel and Brian Flaherty credit the team’s long-term stability and growth for its sustained success.

“The two of us being here that long shows we’ve created a stable environment that allows the program to grow year after year,” said Rostel. “We can’t be successful without each other. The support from the community and the university has been a huge reason why we’re at our 100th win.”

As CMU celebrates 100 years, the cycling team continues to define what it means to be Mavericks — reaching new heights, breaking records and setting the pace for the next century of champions.

The team would like to thank longtime supporters Ed Chamberlain, GJ VELO, Tim Fry, Mountain Racing Products, DT Swiss, Community Hospital and the Downtown Grand Junction community for their ongoing support.

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Written by Haley Hahn