INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Piedmont University cycling teams competed at Marian University in the USA Cycling Collegiate Track Nationals September 8-10. For most of the team in attendance, this was their first collegiate track nationals.

The team started the trip on September 7th with a practice day on the track. Coach Jame Carney, former Olympian on the track, coached and gave each rider last minute advice before the racing began.

The following day, the team woke up early to race the 200-sprint event. This was a learning experience for much of the team as it was most everyone's first sprint tournament. RHYLEE WITTROCK had a standout performance coming in 10th in her first sprint tournament.

Friday, September 9th was a long, hard day on the team. In the morning, the women competed in the 500-time trial. All the women were racing this event for their first time and put their best foot forward. Due to the number of men signed up for the scratch race in the evening, a qualifier race was held in the morning. PRESTON EYE qualified and moved on that evening. The women fought hard and gave it their all, each earning a finish within the top 20.

Saturday, September 10th was the final day of racing for the team with the points race being the final race of the week. The men yet again had a qualifier race in the morning with Eye riding strong to secure a place in the final. In the evening, the men were the first to race with Eye finishing 23rd and SAM RIDEOUT finishing 28th. For the women, Izzie Harden had an impressive performance finishing in 9th place. Wittrock and EMMA FROST had well-fought finishes as well coming in 16th and 19th, respectively.