Gabriella Arnold recently helped Marian University Cycling team secure the program's fifth straight collegiate cyclo-cross national championship.
After sitting atop the standings after the first day, the Marian University cycling team used a dominant performance in the collegiate team relay to secure the program's fifth straight collegiate cyclo-cross national championship on the final day of the 2016 USA Cycling Collegiate Cyclo-Cross National Championships in Asheville, N.C.
The Knights' team of senior Jason Blodgett, freshman Emma Swartz, sophomore Laurel Rathbun and senior Andrew Dillman posted a time of 33:32 to earn the team relay title. Moreover, the win secured the program's 32nd all-time national championship and fifth straight cyclo-cross title.
After the first day of competition, the Knights sat in a tie atop the standings with Fort Lewis College as both programs earned a national championship. Senior Andrew Dillman successfully defended his cyclo-cross national championship after he turned in a 42-second victory in the men's race to give MU maximum points from the men's competition.
While Dillman earned the men's title, Fort Lewis' Sofia Gomez Villafane earned the women's title to give both teams the maximum 94 points. Sophomore Laurel Rathbun led the Knights with a third-place finish, while freshman Emma Swartz (8th), freshman Mackenzie Green (11th), sophomore Arnold (12th) and senior Emily Elbers (14th) posted top-15 finishes for MU as the Knights, like Fort Lewis in the men's race, were able to earn runner-up points.
The two teams were tied with 177 points each heading into the final race, which the Knights had never lost. MU proved its might again as the quartet sealed the program's fifth straight title and 32nd championship in program history.
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